Will there be tornadoes in Illinois Thursday? Here’s the biggest risk area

A wave of potentially severe storms has set its sights on the Chicago area, with the biggest threat being “strong, long-track tornadoes,” according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.

So where is the biggest threat?

Counties west of Chicago are under the greatest threat, however, much of the region is under an enhanced risk for severe weather, a level three out of five.

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are most likely in areas along or west of Interstate 39.

See the map below:

According to the U.S. Storm Prediction Center, “severe thunderstorms capable of producing a few tornadoes appear probable across parts of eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin this afternoon.”

“The area of greatest concern is over eastern IA into northern IL and far southern WI,” the SPC reported.

Nearly the entire Chicago area sits under the enhanced risk category, however, a small line beginning north of Chicago along the lakefront down to southern Chicago suburbs and into northwest Indiana remained under the “slight risk” category, a level two out of five.

All weather hazards are on the table, forecasters said.

“The main threats here will be damaging wind gusts and hail. There could be some strong, long-track tornadoes and I think that’s really what we’re going to have to watch,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Iisha Scott said.

The main window for severe conditions looks to be between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Track the system as it moves live here:

The storms will continue into the late evening and overnight hours before tapering off in the early morning hours Friday.

Another round of storms will again be possible Friday night and through Saturday.

Check back for updates in this developing forecast through the afternoon and evening and turn on notifications in the NBC Chicago app to see when an alert issued.