Rockford, Illinois – Severe storms capable of producing tornadoes could disrupt travel across northern Illinois through 10 p.m. Tuesday, with major corridors like I-90 and I-39 at risk for rapid deterioration during the evening drive.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 109 includes 13 counties across the region, including Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Kane, and DeKalb counties. The environment supports isolated tornadoes, wind gusts up to 60 mph, and hail large enough to damage vehicles.
Rockford, Elgin, and areas near the Wisconsin border face the greatest near-term concern, while western counties like Jo Daviess and Carroll could see earlier storm development. In the Chicago suburbs, including Kane and Lake counties, commuters may encounter sudden downpours and dangerous crosswinds on I-88 and I-294.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items immediately, charge mobile devices, and be ready to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued. სკოლ districts and evening activities could be impacted with little notice.
The threat continues through late evening, and additional warnings are likely as storms intensify across northern Illinois.
