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,

In and around Jacksonville, the threat of severe weather is somewhat lighter. There is no tornado watch at the moment, but a wind advisory is in play for this evening and overnight into Thursday. The chance of severe weather in the area is also at 80%, but it will fall to 30% Wendesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

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.