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 until 9 p.m. for dozens of Illinois counties such as Grundy, Kendall, Kankakee, La Salle and Will. Indiana counties that are under the watch include Newton, Benton, Warren and Tippecanoe, among others.

A severe weather outbreak is taking shape across the central and eastern United States, setting the stage for a weekend of thunderstorms, hail and potential tornadoes. Widespread storms are expected to sweep through a region stretching from Texas to Michigan on Sunday.

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Late night severe storms are likely in Alabama starting Sunday night, but there could also be a few in south Alabama through early afternoon. The National Weather Service in Mobile was watching storms developing closer to the Gulf Coast on Sunday before noon and said there is a non-zero chance for a tornado through the lunchtime hours.

The weather service issued a "take cover" alert and instructed those in the path of the tornado to head to a basement or interior room of a house on the lowest floor.

About one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch of rain were forecast at lower elevations Monday, but mountain areas could exceed half an inch, according to the National Weather Service.

Severe storms were expected to hit Chicago Sunday evening. Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Share Hail and massive wind gusts pelted the Chicago area as severe thunderstorms rumbled through Sunday afternoon.