Chicago Weather: Heavy rain, lightning possible but severe storms unlikely

Chicago"s Weather Forecast

CHICAGO (WLS) --

Pockets of heavy rain and some lightning will likely move into the Chicago area Thursday evening, but the threat of stronger storms is greatly diminished.

Rain began moving into Chicago shortly before 6 p.m. and the line of storm extends south into the suburbs. The storms are moving rapidly to the east at about 25-30 mph, according to ABC7 Meteorologist Jerry Taft.

Severe storms are increasingly unlikely, though there have been reports of heavy downpours.

The Chicago area is most likely to see that rain between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Cubs are scheduled to play the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field at 7:05 p.m. Storms should be out of the area by 9:30 to 10 p.m.

Scott says that a cold front originating in Minnesota and moving easy could also bring some storms to the area overnight. There is only a slight risk for strong storms, and the main threats are heavy rain and high winds.

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While the afternoon will be hot and muggy with highs near 90, ABC7 Meteorologist Larry Mowry said cloud cover building across the area will help stabilize the atmosphere.

The Storm Prediction Center downgraded the potential for severe weather early Thursday, but all of northern Illinois, northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin remains under a "slight" risk for severe weather this afternoon and evening. A "slight" risk means that scattered severe storms are possible across the area.

Watch the latest forecast from the First Alert Weather Team:

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Source: http://abc7chicago.com/weather/heavy-rain-lightning-possible-but-severe-storms-unlikely/1416958/