It might thunderstorm in Chicago this weekend

It's been pretty calm weatherwise in the Chicago area recently, but it's time to brace for a major shift this weekend. According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, this stretch of quiet weather is officially ending as a combination of incoming showers, severe storm risks and intense humidity prepares to roll through the metropolitan area.

The wet weather began early Friday morning with heavy rain and active lightning strikes tracking east from Ogle County toward DeKalb County. Meteorologist Alicia Roman noted that scattered showers and storms are expected to develop across the wider Chicago region through Friday afternoon. While the rainfall will probably derail outdoor plans for some, the area is in need of a good downpour. Current projections suggesting a large swath of the metroplex could see between 0.50 and 1.00 inch of rain.

However, the incoming system brings a threat of severe weather. The entire Chicago metropolitan area has been placed under a Level 1 marginal risk for strong to severe thunderstorms. Roman warned that any isolated storm capable of approaching severe limits could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and even hail, with gusty winds remaining the primary hazard.

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Fortunately, the severe threat won't linger all weekend. By Friday evening, the storms are expected to shift south, though residents should still expect an active overnight pattern. Rain and rumbles of thunder will likely return Saturday morning before drying out by Saturday afternoon. Sunday is looking mostly dry, carrying only a low-end chance of an isolated storm.

As the storms clear, the real story will become the heat. Temperatures will hover comfortably in the 80s through Sunday, but a building surge of warm, humid air is on the horizon. By mid-week, Chicagoans should prepare for the season’s first 90-degree days, with a sustained stretch of intense heat forecast to begin on Wednesday. Keep your umbrellas handy for the weekend, and get ready to crank up the air conditioning shortly after.