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Suburbs south of Chicago hit with hail and strong winds

By FOX 32 Digital Team
Updated  March 26, 2023 7:15pm CDT
Joliet
FOX 32 Chicago

Chicago severe weather: Storm brought hail, strong winds to south suburbs

FOX 32 Chicago Meteorologist Emily Wahls says there have been multiple reports of large hail and torrential downpours.

JOLIET, Illinois - Some suburbs south of Chicago, including Joliet, Ottawa and Kankakee, may see a brief tornado on Sunday afternoon.

FOX 32 Chicago Chief Meteorologist Emily Wahls said there was a severe thunderstorm warning for Will County on Sunday afternoon. The main concern was hail and torrential downpours. Hail reports have ranged from a half inch all the way to an inch.

A severe thunderstorm warning including Chicago Heights, Lansing and Park Forest was in effect until 5:45 p.m. There was a similar warning in effect for the northwest Indiana communities of Hammond and Merrillville until 6 p.m.

People in the far south suburbs saw temperatures in the 50s on Sunday afternoon. That warmth was making the risk of severe weather stronger.

Wahls said the severe risk should fade by 6 p.m. No severe storms are expected overnight.

The NWS also said that there could be damaging winds strong enough to knock down fences, and hail large enough to dent cars.