There's a threat of potentially significant round of severe thunderstorms today (Tuesday), forecasters warning of damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, large hail, brief tornadoes and torrential rainfall. The National Weather Service said scattered thunderstorms already were possible across far northern Illinois early Tuesday, with isolated large hail, damaging winds and localized flooding. The bigger threat is expected to develop later in the morning as a line or complex of thunderstorms moves east-southeast across the region.

The main line of storms is expected between about 9 am. and 3 pm, according to the weather service. Storms could develop in northern portions of the area earlier, before the main line arrives.  The National Weather Service said the storms could organize into a fast-moving line capable of producing wind gusts of 80 mph or greater. The storms also could produce damaging hail and brief tornadoes.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana under an enhanced Level 3 of 5 risk for severe weather Tuesday.

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