Showers Likely Thursday, Then Hot Start To Weekend

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Showers and thunderstorms were headed to the Chicago area late Thursday morning, ahead of a hot and steamy weekend.

A large line of storms stretched from Peoria to southeastern Minnesota around 9 a.m., and while that system had been losing steam as it moved east, it could still bring some isolated strong thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

Another line of storms was expected to develop from central Wisconsin to northern Indiana late Thursday night, although forecast models show it likely will stay north and east of the Chicago area.

Overall, there is a marginal risk of severe storms on Thursday. Those storms could produce strong winds, heavy rain, and hail.

Thursday's high was expected to reach the low 80s, but intense heat was expected to arrive on Friday and Saturday, when temperatures could reach the mid 90s. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index could reach 100 on Saturday.

Temperatures should be much more comfortable on Sunday, with a high in the upper 70s.

In:
• National Weather Service