Chicago, Illinois – The Friday morning commute across Chicago and northwest Indiana could turn turbulent as west wind gusts ramp up to 45 mph beginning at 6 a.m., pushing high-profile vehicles and scattering unsecured objects.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Wind Advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. CST to 4 p.m. CST Friday for north central and northeast Illinois, including Chicago, Rockford, Aurora and Waukegan, as well as northwest Indiana communities such as Gary, Valparaiso and Rensselaer. In Indiana, the advisory runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Sustained west winds of 20 to 30 mph will drive peak gusts near 45 mph.
The strongest gusts are expected late morning into early afternoon, especially along open stretches of I-90, I-94, I-80 and US-30. Downtown Chicago could see sudden bursts funneling between buildings, while exposed areas near Lake Michigan may experience brief crosswinds.
Tree limbs could snap under repeated gusts, leading to isolated outages. Trash bins and lightweight outdoor items may be blown into streets and sidewalks.
Drivers of trucks, vans and SUVs should keep both hands on the wheel and allow extra space. Winds ease toward late afternoon, but cleanup and scattered power issues may linger into Friday evening.
