Chicago, Illinois – Wind gusts strong enough to rattle windows and down small branches are sweeping across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana this afternoon, with westerly winds expected to peak near 40 to 50 mph through Friday evening, creating difficult driving conditions on exposed highways across the Chicago metro area.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville, the strongest gusts will persist through the evening commute across counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will in Illinois, along with Lake and Porter counties in northwest Indiana. High-profile vehicles on open routes such as Interstate 90, Interstate 94, and Interstate 80 could experience sudden crosswinds.
The weather pattern becomes more active late in the weekend. A line of severe thunderstorms may move through the region Sunday, with the highest risk for damaging wind gusts near and east of Interstate 55, including parts of the Chicago metro and northwest Indiana. Forecasters have placed the region under a Level 2 of 5 severe storm risk.
Behind those storms, conditions turn sharply colder. Accumulating snow and blowing snow are likely Sunday night into Monday, particularly west of Interstate 55, which includes communities from DeKalb to La Salle and Livingston counties. Reduced visibility and slick roads could affect the Monday morning commute.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items tonight, remain weather aware Sunday, and prepare for rapidly changing travel conditions heading into early next week. Additional advisories or warnings could be issued as the system approaches.
