Tornado Watch Issued as Severe Storms Approach Chicago Area

CHICAGO, Ill. — A Tornado Watch is in effect for Chicago‘s southwest suburbs and parts of northwest Indiana as a line of potentially severe thunderstorms approaches the area Wednesday evening.

The Tornado Watch is active until 9 p.m. for Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, and Will counties in Illinois, as well as Benton and Newton counties in Indiana. Much of the Chicago area is experiencing a Level 2 risk of severe weather, with southwest suburbs facing a Level 3 risk.

Severe thunderstorms are expected, particularly from 3 to 8 p.m., with risks of high winds and large hail occurring mainly south of Interstate 88. Forecasters project that the storms will reach areas like DeKalb between 3 and 5 p.m., the central Chicago metro from 4 to 7 p.m., and northwest Indiana from 6 to 9 p.m.

A Wind Advisory will be enforced from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday, as conditions shift from thunderstorms to snow showers. Snow is anticipated, particularly in areas north of Interstate 80, with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches in most locations, and isolated areas potentially seeing up to 3 inches. Snowfall is expected mainly before the Thursday morning commute.

This severe weather system comes on the heels of last week’s devastating storms, which resulted in significant damage across portions of America’s Heartland and South. Forecasters report that while severe thunderstorms are imminent, they are unlikely to be as violent as last week’s outbreaks, which claimed lives and caused widespread destruction.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center has included nearly 53 million people across the Midwest and South in a severe weather threat zone for Wednesday’s storms. Damaging winds and large hail remain significant concerns with the strongest storms.

As the storm system progresses eastward, additional areas will face heightened risks of severe weather. While cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, and other parts of Indiana are categorized under a Level 2 risk, the potential for tornadoes persists.

Officials advise residents to remain vigilant and stay updated through reliable weather services as conditions develop through the evening.