Chicago, Illinois – Visibility could drop below one mile along I-90 and I-94 before sunrise Thursday as dense fog spreads across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, creating hazardous conditions for the morning commute. Drivers should prepare for rapidly changing visibility, especially near Lake Michigan and low-lying areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, multiple rounds of fog are expected tonight through Friday morning, with some areas experiencing dense fog capable of reducing visibility to a quarter mile at times. Showers and drizzle will move through periodically, keeping pavement damp and increasing the risk of slick spots on bridges and overpasses.
Temperatures climb sharply Friday, with highs reaching the mid-70s inland, while lakeshore communities remain cooler. Periodic showers and thunderstorms are expected late Friday afternoon into Friday night, with the highest coverage overnight. A conditional threat exists for strong to severe storms late Friday night, especially west and south of Chicago along the I-55 and I-88 corridors. Damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall would be the primary concerns if storms intensify.
Rockford, Joliet, and Aurora may see stronger storms develop after 8 p.m. Friday, while Gary and northwest Indiana remain more focused on fog and periods of rain through early Thursday.
Fog gradually lifts late Thursday morning, but additional low clouds and drizzle may redevelop overnight. Residents should monitor updates, particularly ahead of Friday night’s storm potential, as advisories or warnings could be issued if conditions worsen.
