CHICAGO — Severe storms could dump hail on the city on Thursday, potentially making Lollapalooza's first day a wet one.
Storms are expected to begin between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday and last into the evening, said Charless Mott, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Large hail, lightning and wind gusts up to 70 mph will be possible during the storms.
The agency warned the risk of severe weather will be at its highest between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. That could be bad news for fans of Lorde, Wiz Khalifa, Muse and Cage the Elephant, all of whom are scheduled to perform at the massive music festival during that time.
The North Side has the highest risk of seeing strong storms, Mott said, but there's a possibility for storms to develop anywhere in the city.
The festival has a plan for emergency evacuations at https://www.lollapalooza.com/safety/
Three emergency shelters have been established:
- GRANT PARK NORTH
25 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60602
Underground Parking Garage (between Monroe and Randolph)
Enter via vehicle entrance on Michigan Ave. - GRANT PARK SOUTH
325 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
Underground Parking Garage (between Jackson and Van Buren)
Enter via vehicle entrance on Michigan Ave. - MILLENIUM LAKESIDE
5 S. Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60603
Underground Parking Garage (Columbus between Monroe and Randolph)
Enter via vehicle entrance on Michigan
[Lollapalooza]
The festival's encountered weather trouble before, and last year it started about an hour late due to the threat of lightning.
Strong to severe T-storms possible this afternoon & evening, greatest risk is damaging winds though some hail is also possible. #ILWX #INWX pic.twitter.com/Q5lAPEAyFc
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) August 3, 2017
