A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for northern Illinois warning area residents of an elevated risk for thunderstorms and high winds on April 27.
The area affected includes more of northern Illinois from Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and Lee counties to DeKalb, DuPage, LaSalle, Will, Kankakee and Livingston and Cook.
There’s an elevated risk of tornadoes south of I-80, as well, along with an elevated flood risk and a slight hail risk. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized floosing and rising river levels.
According to the National Weather Service, the highest tornado risk is south of the Kankakee and Illinois River valleys.
A flood risk continues for the Rock River at Afton affecting Winnebago and Rock counties.The flood warning for the Rock River at Latham Park in Winnebago County has been extended and the flood warning continues for the Rock River at Rockton.
Minor flooding is occurring and is forecasted to continue for the Rock River from Prairie Hill Road downstream to Swanson Road in Roscoe, according to the weather service.
The weather service issued a special weather advisory for gusty winds in northwest Illinois, including Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties for April 27.
Gusts between 40 to 50 mph are possible that could blow around loose objects and bring down small tree branches.
According to the weather service, two rounds of storms are expected in northwestern Illinois on April 27 — one in the morning and another in the afternoon/early evening. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are possible.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford, Freeport areas under hazardous weather outlook for April 27
Reporting by Corina Curry, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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