Severe thunderstorm warning in effect

After two days of nearly record-breaking heat, temperatures are expected to drop about 30 degrees tonight, bringing along possible severe thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Cook, DuPage and Lake counties until midnight as temperatures are expected to drop into the upper 50s to mid-60s overnight.

Doppler radar is indicating a line a severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, quarter-size hail, more than an inch of rain and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, according to meteorologists.

The storm was located near St. Charles and Elgin at about 11 p.m. moving east at 30 mph.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for portions of Kane, Cook and DuPage counties until 1 a.m.

After Tuesday and Wednesday’s highs, which were recorded in the upper 90s both days, the forecast into the weekend is calling for a drastic drop to more springlike temperatures.

Highs for Thursday afternoon are expected to reach the mid-60s with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. On Friday, highs are expected in the mid-70s with a 60 percent chance of showers, according to the National Weather Service.

Tuesday and Wednesday’s temperatures did not break records as anticipated, but on Tuesday meteorologists recorded highs of 97 in Wheeling, 96 at O’Hare International Airport and 95 in Aurora.

On Wednesday highs reached 93 at O’Hare and in Aurora about 4 p.m. and 95 in Wheeling at 5 p.m.