(Jplenio / Pixabay)

The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather alert, with a strong “out of season” storm system expected to hammer the Chicago region from late Friday evening through Saturday.

Instead of the snow more typical for December, the weekend weather will deliver thunderstorms and damaging winds, as temperatures and humidity levels will rise rapidly after sunset, according to the weather service. 

The worst of the system is likely to hit between 9 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday, but powerful winds will batter the region through Saturday afternoon, with sustained speeds of 20-30 miles per hour and gusts of 50 mph.

Tornadoes are a very real possibility, the weather service said, and because of the timing of the storms could occur while people are asleep. 

“Ensure you have more than one way to get a warning, including a method that will wake you up,” the weather service advised.

An updated forecast will be issued late Friday afternoon.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]