CHICAGO – Severe thunderstorms are moving through the Chicago metropolitan area, delivering intense rainfall that has prompted concerns for flash flooding and significant travel disruptions.
The National Weather Service has issued several alerts for the region. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for southern Cook County, including Chicago’s South Side, until 6 p.m. A Flood Advisory covers central and northern Cook County until 6:45 p.m., while a broader Flood Watch for Cook, DuPage, Will, and Lake (IN) counties will remain active until midnight.
Earlier, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for parts of northern and western Cook County, including Evanston and Skokie, for a storm capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts. The intense weather has forced ground stops at both O’Hare and Midway airports.
The storms are producing torrential downpours, with rainfall rates reportedly reaching up to three inches per hour in some areas. Forecasters expect the storm systems to weaken and move out of the area from west to east late this evening, with skies gradually clearing overnight. Temperatures are expected to fall to the upper 60s.
Looking ahead, the forecast calls for clear and pleasant weather on Wednesday and Thursday, with sunshine and highs in the lower 80s. However, heat is set to return by the weekend. Temperatures are projected to reach nearly 90 degrees on Friday and climb into the mid-90s on Saturday, with heat index values potentially nearing 100 degrees.
