Severe storms possible in Chicago later this week amid unsettled pattern

The Chicago area could see several rounds of showers and thunderstorms this week, and some of those storms may even be severe.

According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the threat of severe weather won’t really emerge until Friday, when temperatures are expected to soar into the 60s and 70s across the area, with gusty winds bringing humid air up from the south and causing serious atmospheric turbulence.

Before then though, the area will have to go through several periods where showers and even thunderstorms are possible, and that will all get started on Wednesday, according to forecast models.

Temperatures are expected to be around their seasonal averages, with highs in the mid-40s and cooler readings possible near Lake Michigan.

An unsettled weather pattern currently impacting southern portions of Illinois and Indiana will slowly push its way northward beginning on Wednesday, bringing with it the chance for showers or even potentially an embedded thunderstorm or two, especially later on in the evening.

Thursday will be slightly warmer, with highs in the mid-to-upper 40s and again a chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms popping into the forecast.

Friday is where things could get potentially dicey for the Chicago area, especially in Illinois. Winds are expected to ratchet up out of the south during the day, sending temperatures soaring into the upper-60s near the city and perhaps even into the mid-to-upper 70s in the southwestern and southern suburbs.

With that will come multiple chances for rain, and there are two potential windows where strong-to-severe thunderstorms could develop. The first will be just after noon across the area, with another round of storms possible late Friday night and even into Saturday morning, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.

As the system passes, winds will shift out of the north and west, sending temperatures dropping, albeit not very far. Highs are expected to be in the upper-50s Saturday, then they’ll rebound Sunday, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s under partly-to-mostly sunny skies.

Things could be even warmer on Monday, with highs in the upper-60s and low-70s across the region, according to forecast models.

Tuesday will again see highs in the 60s, but another front will pass through the area, bringing with it rain and causing temperatures to tumble, with rain or even snow showers possible later next week.

Stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for all the latest weather news, and be sure to download the NBC Chicago app for real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.