A tornado watch is in effect across much of the Chicago area as storms move in Friday evening, with the National Weather Service warning of an elevated severe-weather risk.

Rain and storms are moving across the Chicago area Friday evening, with nearly the entire region under a tornado watch and an elevated risk of severe weather.

NBC Chicago’s live radar coverage said the severe-weather window begins around 5 p.m. local time. The National Weather Service has warned that northern Illinois faces an enhanced risk of severe weather.

The National Weather Service Chicago office issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook on May 1 for northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, signaling the chance of hazardous conditions in the region.

Residents should keep an eye on official alerts as the storm system develops. The key risks in this type of setup can include damaging winds, hail, tornadoes and heavy rain, though the exact impacts will depend on how the line of storms evolves through the evening.

This is a developing weather event, and watches or warnings could change quickly as storms move through the area.

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