Storms are moving into far-northwest Illinois this morning, with a low but nonzero severe thunderstorm risk as they move toward the Chicago area. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Will, Grundy and Kendall counties until 11 a.m., while a Severe Thu
Chicago woke up to the push of weather systems arriving from near the Mississippi River, with showers and storms already edging into far-northwest Illinois. That activity is expected to roll into the Chicago area later this morning, though how strong it gets remains uncertain.
Officials are treating the severe risk as “not zero,” but the chances are described as very low, largely tied to the time of day storms are forecast to move through. Even so, the main concern for people outside any thunderstorms is a gusty southwest wind at times reaching 30 mph.
Temperatures have stayed unseasonably mild overnight, sitting in the 70s across most of the area. Today’s highs may reach about 80, but the storms’ timing is also expected to limit any noticeable warm-up.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Will, Grundy and Kendall counties until 11 a.m. At the same time, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for most of the Chicago area and northwest Indiana until 5 p.m.
Later this afternoon and into the evening, conditions are expected to turn breezier again, with only a slight chance of another shower. Temperatures are projected to slip toward the upper 70s as the day continues.
The forecast then shifts to what’s next: tomorrow could see a similar footprint of shower and thunderstorm activity. with the main chances during the morning and or early afternoon.. There is also a possibility that much of the area misses out on rainfall entirely tomorrow. with a bias toward the southern counties.. Highs tomorrow are expected to be close to 80 ahead of a cold front that sweeps through late in the afternoon.
Behind that front, Wednesday and Thursday are set up for a cooler stretch.. On Wednesday, highs struggle to reach 60, then barely in the 60s on Thursday, with both days cooler by the lake.. That trend continues even as temperatures begin to climb again Friday. Saturday and Sunday: highs on Friday near 70. rising to around 80 by Sunday.
Looking ahead across those warmer days, the highest chance of rainfall is Friday night.
Chicago weather severe thunderstorm warning severe thunderstorm watch Will County Grundy County Kendall County northwest Indiana cold front gusty southwest wind storms this morning midweek cooldown