Chicago, Illinois – Severe thunderstorms capable of 2-inch hail and possible strong tornadoes could develop as early as 4 p.m. Tuesday, spreading across central Illinois and intensifying during the evening commute before lasting into the overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, storms are expected to organize along a warm front lifting across the state Tuesday evening. The earliest development could begin around 4 p.m., with the most active window near 7 p.m. and continuing until about midnight. Forecasters warn that areas south of Interstate 80 and along the U.S. 24 corridor face the greatest tornado risk, including the potential for strong tornadoes if storms track directly along the boundary.
Cities including Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, Galesburg, and Quincy sit within the highest threat zone. Drivers along Interstate 55, Interstate 74, and Interstate 72 could encounter rapidly changing weather conditions as storms move northeast across the region.
Farther north toward Aurora, DeKalb, Rockford, and the Chicago metro, storms may produce damaging wind gusts near 60 mph and hail up to 2 inches in diameter, even if the tornado threat remains lower north of I-80.
Residents should secure outdoor items, review shelter plans, and ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled before storms develop Tuesday evening. Localized flash flooding may also occur where storms repeatedly move across the same areas.
Additional watches or warnings could be issued late Tuesday afternoon as storms begin forming, and officials urge residents to keep multiple ways to receive weather alerts through the night.
