Severe storms are racing into the Chicago area, prompting a tornado watch and the possibility of a messy, hazardous commute home from work. The Tornado Watch is in effect for Ford, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston and Will counties in Illinois and Jasper,

There is a tornado watch in place for the afternoon and evening in Chicago's south suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

The National Weather Service says strong to severe weather will impact the Chicago area from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, but the threat has diminished for some parts of northern Illinois. A flood advisory is in effect for the southern half of Cook County, and most of Will County and Lake County, Indiana, until 4:45 p.m.