Chicago, Ill. – A corridor from Illinois to New York is entering a critical severe weather window this afternoon, with storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds and isolated tornadoes expected to intensify quickly.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, a Level 2 risk stretches from central Illinois through northern Indiana, Ohio, and into central New York. Storms developing after 2 p.m. are expected to strengthen as they track east, with large hail over 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts up to 60 mph as the primary threats.
Cities including Chicago, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Syracuse sit within this active zone. Major corridors such as I-90 and I-80 could see sudden drops in visibility, hail-covered roads, and dangerous driving conditions during peak travel hours.
The greatest hail threat will occur in stronger storm cores, where rapid updrafts allow ice to grow quickly before falling. These storms may also produce frequent lightning and localized flooding in areas that see repeated downpours.
Residents are urged to move vehicles under cover, avoid travel during active storms, and monitor warnings closely as conditions evolve through the evening. The severe threat will continue shifting east into the Northeast by late tonight, with additional alerts likely.
