Storms with lots of rain, big winds arriving in suburbs

Heavy rain is falling in the region after the National Weather Service of Chicago warned of them coming into the suburbs by about 9 p.m., with big wind gusts, lightning, hail and even tornadoes possible over a few hours.

The service tweeted that 1.35 inches of rain fell by 10 p.m. in Harvard and 1.48 inches in Woodstock

"Widely scattered thunderstorms may form along a warm front south of Interstate 88 late this afternoon or early evening," the service said.

Then more thunderstorms ahead of an approaching cold front will enter north-central Illinois this evening, it said.

Three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half of rain could fall over "a large part of the northern & central Chicago metro through early overnight," the service tweeted.

"These storms will be capable of producing damaging winds. In addition, multiple rounds of storms could result in localized flooding."

The weather service tweeted that wind gusts could hit 45 mph, but its earlier statement warned of 70 mph gusts and quarter-sized hail. Its statement listed McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook and Will counties as possibly affected.

The service said there's a risk of thunderstorms each day for the rest of the week.