Chicago, Illinois – The window for tornado-producing storms opens Tuesday afternoon across northern Illinois, with conditions rapidly intensifying into the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk is in place Tuesday, signaling a heightened chance for tornadoes, destructive hail up to 2 inches, and damaging winds. Storms are expected to develop by mid-afternoon and continue through the night, with the most dangerous period stretching into the evening hours.
Areas along and near I-90, I-88, and I-55—including Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, and the Chicago metro—face the greatest tornado potential. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms could track northeast at speeds near 45 mph, increasing the risk for fast-changing conditions and limited warning time.
Monday brings a lower-end severe risk, but Tuesday’s setup is more volatile due to stronger instability and repeated storm development. Heavy rainfall may also lead to localized flooding in urban and low-lying areas.
Residents should review tornado safety plans now, identify shelter locations, and ensure alerts are enabled on mobile devices. The threat is expected to diminish early Wednesday, but additional warnings are likely as storms develop.
