A flash flood watch was in effect in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana as heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms were expected to continue Tuesday and into late in the week before a sunny and clear Independence Day weekend, forecasters said.

       There was a limited thunderstorm risk Tuesday with the possibility of damaging winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Storms in areas that have received heavy rainfall over the past few days may cause flooding of ditches, fields and roadways.

       The south and southwest suburbs saw torrential rains early Monday, with more than an inch of rain in about an hour in areas near Channahon, Wilmington and Ingalls Park.

       The flash flood watch remained in effect through 7 p.m. Tuesday.

       “Once we get through this evening, showers and storms look to be a little bit more spotty in nature,” said Jake Petr, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Chicago-area office.

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       There is also a limited thunderstorm risk in areas near the shores of Lake Michigan with a possibility of gusts up to 50 knots an hour and risk of fog.

       The rain was expected to continue through Thursday before a cold front causes highs to drop from the low to mid-80s to the 70s, making way for a drier Independence Day weekend.

       “The holiday weekend is trending nicer, it doesn’t look as active for multiple rounds of rain at this point,” Petr said.

       For more details and an updated forecast, check the Tribune’s weather page.

       nagupta@chicagotribune.com

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