Showers, storms pass through Chicago area Thursday evening

CHICAGO - Showers and thunderstorms were popping up around the Chicago area on Thursday evening.

The storms were expected to become less frequent after 10 p.m. Some storms had already produced brief heavy downpours and gusty winds exceeding 40 miles per hour, and pea-sized hail.

Looking ahead to Friday, temperatures will be a few degrees cooler, with highs reaching the low 80s.

A few showers are expected to occur, mostly before noon.