Chicago’s oppressive stretch of near-90-degree heat is expected to ease as severe storms move through the metro area Friday, but forecasters are warning of damaging winds, frequent lightning, and possible flash flooding.
For five straight days, the Chicago area lived under oppressive heat. Friday brought a different kind of weather—one that came with a warning label.
Storms moving through the region are expected to end the current heat wave’s days of 90-degree weather. according to the National Weather Service. Ricky Castro. a meteorologist with the weather service. said the storms “will basically bring the heat wave to an end in terms of days in a row of much of the metro hitting 90 degrees. ” and that “we’re gonna cool off behind these storms pretty substantially.”.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect Friday afternoon as storms moved over the metro area. With the heat set to subside, meteorologists’ focus shifted to the risk of damaging winds, frequent lightning, and possible flash flooding.
Chicago wasn’t fully finished with the 90-degree stretch yet. O’Hare International Airport appeared to fall just short of 90 degrees Friday. Castro said. while the Midway area did reach around 90 degrees. Portions of the metro area therefore had a fifth day of 90-degree heat. Chicago recorded four consecutive days of 90-degree weather during this week’s stretch, from Monday through Thursday, Castro said. He added that the last time Chicago had four consecutive 90-degree days was last July.
Even as temperatures begin to drop after the storms. residents in Chicago. Evanston and Cicero were warned that storms could bring wind gusts traveling 70 miles per hour. Castro said some wind damage has already occurred in northern Illinois. near Rockton. and warned that if conditions intensify. that damage could extend toward Kane County. DuPage County and then Cook County.
Rain also posed its own threat. Castro said parts of Kane County saw 3 to 5 inches of rain overnight, increasing concerns about flash flooding across the metro area.
In Cook County, the flooding risk had already moved from possibility to notice. Notify Chicago sent out an alert warning of a flood advisory issued Friday just after 2 p.m. effective until at least 5:15 p.m. The alert said 2 inches of rain had already fallen in Cook County and warned that creeks and streams may overflow. It also said underpasses and roads could become flooded.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago issued an overflow action day. advising residents to delay showers. flush less frequently. and wait to run appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine. For community fireworks displays and other evening plans, Castro said it was “wait and see mode.”.
Additional storms were expected Friday evening, but it was not yet clear where they might develop.
Chicago storms wind gusts flash flooding National Weather Service Evanston Cicero O'Hare Midway flood advisory Metropolitan Water Reclamation District