Thursday gave us a sample of what may be ahead in coming days. A band of showers and thunderstorms moved southeast out of Minnesota through Wisconsin, reaching Chicago area early afternoon. A severe thunderstorm Watch was issued by the National Storm Prediction Center and an unconfirmed tornado was reported near Sheridan with power lines down in New Lenox, Watseka, and Milford along with 1-inch hail at several locations.

Friday looks to be a cloudy, showery day with cool winds off Lake Michigan dominating northern Illinois. Saturday could see some sun and warmer temps but also showers or thunderstorms that could bring locally heavy rains overnight into Sunday. Look for a break Monday – then a return to more showers and storms next Tuesday and Wednesday.