Severe weather threat emerges for Chicago area again this week

Thursday will see a rapid increase in temperatures in the Chicago area, but that could come with the risk of severe thunderstorms.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, the entire Chicago area will either be at a “marginal” or “slight” risk of severe storms Thursday, the first and second of five levels of severe weather risk given out by the SPC.

The main threat areas appear to be parts of the area south of Interstate 80, along with nearly all of Indiana, according to the SPC.

The main threats with any storms that develop would be gusty winds and the potential for large and damaging hail, though a tornado or two cannot be ruled out thanks to the shear in the atmosphere, according to forecast models.

Before that system arrives, the area should see pleasant temperatures on Wednesday, with highs rising into the mid-to-upper 60s, according to forecast models.

There is a chance of some isolated thunderstorms in far southern suburbs and into Indiana, though forecasters aren’t anticipating a threat of severe weather, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.

That threat will roar into the forecast on Thursday, as highs could reach into the upper-70s or even the low-80s across most of the area, though parts of the region close to Lake Michigan could see cooler readings.

Areas north of Interstate 80 will be at a “marginal” risk of severe storms Thursday as a front approaches, with areas south of the highway and nearly all of Indiana in the “slight” risk category, according to the SPC.

Very large hail of two inches or more is a threat, along with gusty winds and isolated tornadoes, according to the SPC.

Once that front passes through temperatures are expected to plummet, with highs in the 40s on Friday before quickly rebounding into the 50s on Saturday and perhaps even back into the 60s on Sunday, with pleasant temps in the 60s expected for most of next week.

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