Heavy rain is in the forecast for Chicago on Friday night, but an earlier threat of severe weather has significantly diminished. A tornado watch had been in effect for most of the Chicago area until 11 p.m., but it was canceled around 9:30 p.m.

A series of severe thunderstorms swept across the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon, causing thousands of power outages and damage throughout the region. There were multiple reports of wind damage, with gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour reported in DuPage and Cook counties.