Flash flood watch issued with rains expected through late Thursday

Officials from the National Weather Service have issued a flash flood watch as moderate to heavy rain will fall through Friday.

The watch has been established until Friday afternoon for central and northeast Illinois including portions of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry counties.

Officials said rain totals will average between 1 and 3 inches across the area, while local amounts can reach as much as 3 to 5 inches.

Officials said portions of northern Illinois received up to two inches of rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and an additional half-inch Wednesday night into this morning.

A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flooding.