Midwest Braces for Severe Weather as Chicago and Milwaukee Residents Face Intense Heat on Father’s Day

As the Midwest cities of Chicago and Milwaukee braced for severe weather over the Father’s Day weekend, residents faced intense heat reaching into the mid-90s. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for various counties in Illinois and Indiana as heavy winds caused damage and disrupted events on Sunday.

ABC7 Meteorologists Greg Dutra and Jaisol Martinez highlighted the sudden storms originating from Iowa that prompted the watch for the Chicago area. The main threat was strong winds, leading to downed trees and damage across different regions. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for multiple counties, including Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kendall, and more.

Despite the looming threat of severe weather, Chicago residents like Shay Mishra and visitors such as Jose from Denmark were seen enjoying the sunshine at various outdoor events and markets across the city. The heatwave saw temperatures soaring above 90 degrees, prompting people to take precautions and stay hydrated to beat the high temperatures.

Father’s Day celebrations at 31st Street Beach in Chicago saw families trying to stay cool with sunscreen, hats, and refreshing beverages like juice boxes. Residents like Kelly Val and visitors like Drew Wade from Maryland emphasized the importance of staying hydrated in the scorching heat to avoid dehydration and heat-induced illnesses.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties, including Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, and Waukesha. Reports of hail and strong winds were received in areas like Palmyra near Whitewater, with warnings of possible damage to vehicles, roofs, siding, and trees.

The Midwest region continues to monitor the severe weather conditions as residents remain vigilant and prepared for further developments in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates on weather alerts and safety precautions in the affected areas.