High Risk of Severe Storms Monday

The National Weather Service is urging residents to prepare for the possibility of intense storms throughout Monday. Expect rainfall of 1 to 3 inches.

A flash-flood watch will be in effect as of 1 a.m. for Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane and DeKalb counties. The major line of severe storms could descend on the Chicago area about 5 a.m. We are at high risk for torrential rain, damaging winds, large hail and lightning.

The weather system will line up from Grayslake in the north to Joliet in the south by 7 a.m. and will sweep across Chicago and into northwest Indiana by 9 a.m., according to the forecast.

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The system has conditions which could lead to the formation of tornadoes, the NWS reports. More strong storms could develop in the late afternoon and evening, according to the NWS. The forecast will be updated Monday as the system unfolds overnight.