A round of fast-moving severe thunderstorms plowed through the Chicago area Sunday afternoon, producing hurricane-force winds and prompting tornado warnings in parts of Northwest Indiana. A tornado watch was issued throughout most the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana for much of the afternoon.

The tornado watch is in effect till 7 p.m. for Chicago, the surrounding south and west suburbs and northwest Indiana. The National Weather Service warns of tornadoes, hail the size of ping-pong balls and 70 mph winds.

Hail and massive wind gusts pelted the Chicago area as severe thunderstorms rumbled through Sunday afternoon. 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.

A tornado warning was issued in northwest Indiana and most Chicago-area counties saw severe thunderstorm warnings on an eventful Sunday afternoon.

The risk of severe weather we've been talking about for a week will arrive this afternoon with all threats possible. During the overnight, the Storm Prediction Center released today's risk for severe weather,