Chicago weather: Storms weaken as they approach, downpours still possible

Chicago weather: Large storm possibly headed toward Chicago area

Fox 32 Meteorologist Mark Strehl has the forecast for July 19, 2025.

CHICAGO - We are keeping an eye on a large storm system that appears to be weakening as it approaches the Chicago area from the west.

Fox 32 Meteorologist Mark Strehl has the forecast.

1:30 p.m. update: "Mainly dry" conditions the rest of the day after the rain ends, according to the NWS.

Additional thunderstorm chances should then focus farther south through Monday. It will be "dangerously" hot Wednesday through Thursday.

Noon update: A Flood Advisory is in effect for parts of Cook, DuPage and Will counties until 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Flooding could occur in poor drainage and urban areas which could also lead to roads being flooded, the NWS said.

11:45 a.m. update: We continue to monitor a decaying pocket of showers and thunderstorms moving across Chicago this midday.

Although winds appear to be a possibility, the main threat has been some torrential downpours with some spots picking up over an inch in under 30 minutes.

Conditions should continue to improve as we go through the latter afternoon and evening. There is another possible round of showers headed our way on Sunday before the heat returns later in the week.

11 a.m. update: Ground stops were issued for both Midway International Airport and O'Hare International Airport as of around 11 a.m. on Saturday due to the expected thunderstorms.

What to Expect:

It is likely that this storm will swing through just southwest of Chicago as we go through the late morning and early afternoon.

The greatest threat would likely be some very high winds and torrential rains, although all threats cannot be ruled out.

The most likely time for the storms to hit the area are the early to mid-afternoon. Fox 32's forecast model shows the strongest storms popping up along the I-39 corridor and coming through parts of Grundy and southwest Will counties.

By around 4 p.m., there should be some lingering showers but the bulk of the storms will be out toward the east of the area.

What's next:

There is yet another risk of heavy rain on Sunday morning, this time, most likely along and south of Interstate 80.

Then the heat sets in late in the week with temps pushing up to near 95 and the heat index near 105 degrees.