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 tornado warning was issued in northwest Indiana and most Chicago-area counties saw severe thunderstorm warnings on an eventful Sunday afternoon.

Tornadoes, hail the size of ping-pong balls and 70 mph winds could hit the Chicago area Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service warns. A tornado watch was in effect till 7 p.m. for Chicago, the surrounding south and west suburbs and northwest Indiana.

Sunday and Wednesday could feature severe weather outbreaks across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, while Monday could bring storms to the Deep South and East Coast.