Chicago Faces Severe Weather with Tornado Watch and Potential Flooding
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, effective until 11 p.m. on April 17. The region is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, reaching into the low 80s, which is significantly higher than the average mid-April highs of around 60 degrees. The warm weather is expected to give way to severe thunderstorms in the evening, bringing the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and spin-up tornadoes. The storms are anticipated to drop temperatures into the low 50s by Saturday. Additionally, the Des Plaines River is at risk of flooding due to the heavy rainfall, with water levels expected to crest over the weekend. 
