A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect through evening and into night across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, while multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings run through mid-afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center places much of the Chicago area un
Chicago-area residents woke up to the kind of forecast that doesn’t let you look away. Severe thunderstorms are possible for both Wednesday and Thursday, with warnings already posted in several counties and a broader watch covering much of the region.
In Wisconsin, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kenosha, Walworth and Racine counties until 4 p.m. Another warning runs for DeKalb, LaSalle, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties until 3:45 p.m. A separate warning remains active for McHenry, Boone and Walworth counties until 3:15 p.m.
Across the Illinois state line. a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for DeKalb. McHenry and Boone counties in Illinois and for Kenosha. Racine and Walworth counties in Wisconsin until 7 p.m. That watch expands farther for much of the Chicago region, running until 10 p.m. for Cook. DuPage. Grundy. Kane. Kankakee. Kendall. LaSalle. Lake. Will and Livingston counties in Illinois. and Benton. Jasper. Lake. Newton and Porter counties in Indiana.
The Storm Prediction Center has most of the Chicago area under a Level 3 risk for severe storms for Wednesday and Thursday.
ABC7 meteorologists said the first round of storms is moving in during the afternoon, likely affecting the northern suburbs. Another wave is expected to move in during the evening, bringing a chance of strong wind gusts and thunderstorms after 9 p.m.
Damaging winds are the main threat, with very heavy rain also likely with any storms. On Thursday, a cold front will move into the area during the day, likely in the later evening hours, and there is a risk of all severe weather hazards Thursday, including tornadoes.
Friday looks like a break—temperatures in the 80s with lower humidity.
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