Hurricane-force winds were also reported in parts of the area. Wind gusts topped out at 81 mph in Valparaiso, Indiana, 75 mph in Lakes of the Four Seasons in Indiana, and 74 mph in Gary, Indiana, and Lynwood, Illinois.

Hail and massive wind gusts pelted the Chicago area as severe thunderstorms rumbled through Sunday afternoon. The system had prompted a tornado watch covering most of northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana, but the National Weather Service canceled it by 3:15 p.m. with storms rolling out over Lake Michigan.

Strong winds uprooted trees, downed power lines, and damaged several homes, splitting one in half in Roselawn.

Stronger storms are possible Tuesday night, and more rounds of showers and storms move into the area Wednesday.

Strong to severe thunderstorm chances were in the Chicago weekend weather forecast, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, with the potential for damaging wind, hail and even tornadoes. The severe weather threat,

Chicago will experience a mix of rain, storms, and unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend before a cold front brings a sharp drop and possible snow early next week.

Expect some showers this afternoon, some thunderstorms overnight, then a threat of severe storms Sunday afternoon and evening.