June 15--Expected heavy rainfall throughout Monday has prompted a flash flood watch for Chicago and surrounding suburbs as well as north central Illinois.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Chicago area beginning at 7 a.m. Monday and lasting through 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Periods of thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected across northern Illinois into Monday evening, and that could prompt rapid flooding in some areas, especially south and southwest of the city because of heavy rainfall in those areas over the past 10 days.
Areas along and south of Interstate 80 have seen 5 to 8 inches of rain in the past week, according to the weather service.
Rain should taper off in the city by midnight, said National Weather Center meteorologist Matt Friedlein.
But Blackhawks fans might want to allow themselves extra time for travel. The heaviest, most widespread rainfall is expected to come in the late afternoon and early evening Monday during the rush hour, Friedlein said.
Conditions are expected to remain warm and humid, despite the rain. Highs could reach the mid-80s Monday, according to the weather service.
