Chicago weather: Live updates on severe storm threat, tornado risk and timing

CHICAGO - A dangerous round of severe weather is expected to move through the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin today, bringing the threat of strong tornadoes, damaging winds, heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions from morning into the evening.

Follow along below for live updates throughout the day as storms develop and move through the region.

Live Weather Updates

 

 

 

5:00 PM: Severe Storms

A line of severe storms near the Mississippi River could continue developing eastward and move toward Interstate 39 between 6 and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The storms could bring damaging winds and a few tornadoes, the weather service said.

3:31 PM: Intermittent flooding 

According to O’Hare Airport officials, intermittent flooding has reduced inbound I-190 to O'Hare to one lane near the Mannheim Road exit.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is on the scene working to address the issue, officials said. Travelers heading to O’Hare are urged to allow extra time or consider using public transportation.

There is also a Ground Delay in effect for flights at O'Hare until 2:59 a.m. due to thunderstorms, according to the FAA. Delays are averaging 375 minutes.

3:00 PM: Afternoon thunderstorm trends

Severe storms are expected to strengthen across the Chicago area this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Storms developing near or west of the Fox Valley could bring damaging winds, a few tornadoes, and localized flooding.

Another round of strong to severe storms may form farther east after 4:30 p.m., with additional threats of damaging winds and possible tornadoes.

Storms are expected to move northeast at about 50 mph.

1:50 PM: Tornado Watch goes into effect

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin until 8 p.m. CDT, including DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, Kane, LaSalle, and McHenry counties.

What we know:

More than 45 million people across the Midwest and Great Lakes are in the path of this system, including Chicago, Milwaukee and surrounding communities. The FOX Forecast Center says storms are expected to develop over eastern Iowa and move into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin by around midday, continuing through the afternoon and into the evening.

Thursday started off on a much different note, with cold rain and temperatures in the 30s. But a warm front is expected to push through by around midday, quickly sending temperatures into the 60s and helping fuel stronger storms later in the day. FOX 32 meteorologist Kaitlin Cody says there is a sharp temperature split across the area early this afternoon, with 70s to the south, 50s in Chicago and 40s to the north, along with scattered rain, patchy fog and gusty winds up to 30-35 mph.

The primary concern is the risk of strong tornadoes, including EF-2 or higher, across a wide stretch that includes Chicagoland, Rockford and southern Wisconsin, according to FOX Weather. Forecasters say storms that form are likely to become discrete supercells — rotating storms that are more capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.

Damaging wind gusts of 75 mph or higher are possible with storms, and even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph across parts of Illinois and Indiana, FOX Weather reports. A wind advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with non-thunderstorm wind gusts expected to reach 45 to 50 mph.

While showers and a few thunderstorms could pop up at almost any time, FOX Chicago meteorologist Mike Caplan says the prime window for severe weather in the Chicago area will be during the late afternoon and evening hours. The National Weather Service adds that storm chances will increase after 3 p.m., with the primary tornado threat favoring areas along and west of I-39. FOX Chicago meteorologist Kaitlin Cody said the severe weather window could begin as early as 2 p.m. and last until around 9 p.m., potentially impacting the evening commute. Storms are expected to move out before midnight.

The setup behind today’s threat is being driven by a powerful low-pressure system moving toward the Great Lakes. According to the FOX Forecast Center, that system is pulling warm, moist air north from the Gulf and colliding with a cold front, creating an unstable atmosphere. At the same time, strong wind shear — changes in wind speed and direction with height — is helping storms rotate and intensify, increasing the risk for strong, long-track tornadoes.

After storms weaken tonight, heavy rain could become the main issue locally. FOX Weather says parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin could see around 1 to 2 inches of rain, with a localized flash flooding threat developing late Thursday.

What's next:

There will be a brief break in the active weather before the next system arrives. Caplan says conditions should quiet down after midnight before another round of storms moves in Friday night.

That next system does not appear as strong as today’s, but FOX Weather says it could still bring severe storms to parts of the Midwest, with all hazards possible. While the severe threat locally is lower, it is not zero, and temperatures will swing again throughout the day. Friday will be cooler with highs in the upper 50s, with a chance for afternoon and evening storms.

Showers may linger into early Saturday before conditions begin to settle. Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, Easter Sunday is expected to be dry but cool, with highs around 50 degrees.

Overall, today remains the most significant concern for the Chicago area, Northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin, with the greatest threat window stretching from late afternoon through the evening as storms move through the region.

Timeline:

Here’s a quick look at how today’s severe weather is expected to unfold across the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin.

Morning: Cold rain and temps in the 30s to start the day.

Midday: Warm front moves in, temps jump into the 60s; storms begin developing and moving into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Afternoon–Evening: Main severe weather window, with the highest threat for tornadoes, damaging winds and hail.

Late evening: Storms begin to weaken and exit the area before midnight.

Overnight: Heavy rain and localized flooding possible.

Friday night: Next round of storms arrives, with a lower — but not zero — severe threat.

Saturday: Showers taper off early.

Sunday (Easter): Dry but cool, highs around 50.

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