Heavy rain is expected to hit the Chicago area on Friday as thunderstorms roll into the city, creating the potential for flash flooding.
The expected storms on Friday are capable of producing torrential rainfall at rates of 2 inches or more per hour, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch. The watch will be in effect from 10 a.m. through the evening in Cook County and the surrounding counties of DuPage, Lake and Will.
The main concern is the thunderstorms producing heavy amounts of rainfall in a short amount of time, and with the Chicago metropolitan area largely covered in asphalt and concrete, there is an increased potential for flash flooding, said David Beachler, meteorologist for the weather service in Romeoville. The watch is expected to remain in effect until 10 p.m. Friday, he said.
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Chicago will get a little break from the showers in the morning with more rain returning in the afternoon, Beachler said. It’s expected to be wet, humid and muggy on Friday with a high of 85 and cooling down to an overnight low of 70 to 72 degrees, he said.
The threat of storms will end at daybreak Saturday, and weather is expected to be dry for the next few days, he said.
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