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CHICAGO -- March typically marks the start of the severe weather season in Chicago, but the strange weather patterns we've been experiencing this February (and winter) continued with a set of stormy weather overnight Friday.

Rain rolled in through the early and late evening hours Thursday night, but the intensity of the rain increased overnight with a lot of lightning, thunder and hail. One home in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood was damaged when it was hit by lightning.The storms also caused power to go out for roughly 1,000 ComEd customers.

The weather is also causing a mess for this morning's commute. A number of accidents, spin offs and jack-knifed were reported across area roads.

Expect major travel delays and major backups. Drive with caution.

For the latest weather updates, go to Chicago Weather Center

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