Will rain put a damper on Memorial Day weekend? Here's the forecast for northern Illinois

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday for much of northern Illinois including Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and Stephenson counties.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 81 degrees in Rockford with several periods of thunderstorms first arriving late morning.

Damaging winds will be the main hazard.

Additional scattered thunderstorms, some of which may be severe, are likely arriving mid-afternoon through the early evening. Damaging wind gusts are the primary severe threat, but isolated large hail is also possible along with a few tornadoes.

The tornado threat is highest from the Chicago metro area westward.

Saturday's predicted high temperature is 77 degrees and sunny with a limited thunderstorm risk. Sunday's predicted high is 73 degrees but with an elevated thunderstorm risk and the possibility of limited flooding.

The predicted high for Memorial Day is 71 degrees, mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen.