Multiple rounds of severe storms are expected to move across the Chicago area this week. Starting early Wednesday, the area could see showers, thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 30 mph, the National Weather Service said. A second, more powerful round of storms could develop late Wednesday morning an d linger into the afternoon. The storms could bring damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes, weather officials said. Wednesday's high temperature will be 70, and the low will be 47. An active spring weather pattern will continue through the end of the week. Temperatures trend cooler into early next week. #ILwx INwx pic.twitter.com/hrFvTzVurU— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 1, 2025 Flooding in areas with poor drainage was also possible. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago is advising residents to reduce water usage during severe storms to create less stress on the sewer system. During storms, residents should delay showers and baths, flush less frequently and wait to run dishwashers or washing machines. NotifyChicago: MWRD has issued an OVERFLOW ACTION DAY ALERT. Please conserve water usage to reduce water in sewers. More info: https://t.co/4KLvu6FWZR— Chicago OEMC (@ChicagoOEMC) April 2, 2025 Thursday is forecast to be mostly sunny, with highs in the 50s, with a chance of light rain, weather officials said. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Friday afternoon and could last through the evening. On Sunday afternoon, hail and massive wind gusts pelted the Chicago area as severe thunderstorms rumbled through the area, sending groundskeepers at Rate Field rushing to cover the infield with tarp during a White Sox game against the Angels. The grounds crew works on the field during a rain delay in the seventh inning of a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the White Sox at Rate Field on Sunday.Nam Y. Huh/AP 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.Downstate, wind gusts as high as 80 mph were recorded in Iroquois and Champaign counties. ...read more read less