Updated
Updated · NBC Chicago · Jul 2
NWS Issues Chicago-Area Warnings for 60 MPH Storms and 3.5 Inches of Rain
Updated
Updated · NBC Chicago · Jul 2

NWS Issues Chicago-Area Warnings for 60 MPH Storms and 3.5 Inches of Rain

2 articles · Updated · NBC Chicago · Jul 2

Summary

  • Northern DuPage, northwestern Cook, northern Kendall, southeastern DeKalb and southern Kane counties were under severe thunderstorm warnings Thursday night, with one east-moving storm carrying 60 mph gusts that could damage roofs, siding and trees.
  • Central DuPage, southeastern Kane and northeastern Kendall also received a flash flood warning until 2:15 a.m., with some areas forecast to pick up as much as 3.5 inches of rain.
  • Storms developing in southern Wisconsin were expected to push into the Chicago area late Thursday into Friday morning, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and a hail threat.
  • Friday afternoon poses a broader risk: the entire Chicago area is under a slight severe-weather outlook, with additional storms capable of 60-to-70 mph winds and more localized flooding.
  • Heavy downpours already forced the evacuation and drone-show cancellation at Arlington Heights Frontier Days, and forecasters expect off-and-on thunderstorms through the weekend and into next week.

Insights

As record storms batter Illinois, can our understaffed weather service keep people safe?
With next-gen weather radar decades away, how will we predict future superstorms?