Severe thunderstorms expected to roll through suburbs this afternoon

Severe thunderstorms are expected to roll through the area this afternoon, with the greatest threat south of Interstate 80.

Winds could reach up to 60 mph, enough to snap tree limbs, meteorologists at the Chicago office of the National Weather Service report. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter is also a possibility today.

The storms are expected to be heaviest between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. When a cold front to the north collides with a warm front heading up from the south.

Highs will reach the 60s and 70s in the suburbs by about noon which will be followed by a rapid cool down into the 40 and 50s by the time the systems collide.