Chicago, Illinois – Strong thunderstorms could begin impacting northern Illinois by 5 p.m. Friday, with a fast-moving line expected to reach the Chicago metro between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., bringing damaging winds and a growing flood threat.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, storms may produce wind gusts up to 80 mph, along with large hail and a few brief tornadoes, especially west of Chicago near the I-39 corridor. The line will push east toward Lake Michigan through midnight, impacting major routes including I-90, I-94, and I-55 during the evening commute.
Heavy downpours could quickly overwhelm already saturated ground, increasing the risk for flash flooding, particularly near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line and along and south of I-80. Rivers including the Rock, Fox, Des Plaines, and Kankakee are already elevated, with some locations at or near flood stage. Additional rainfall may trigger new rises or delay crests into the weekend.
Residents should avoid non-essential travel during peak storm hours, charge devices ahead of outages, and never drive through flooded roadways. Those near rivers should closely monitor water levels and be ready to act if warnings are issued.
Storms will weaken after midnight, but river flooding concerns will continue into the weekend as cooler air moves in behind the system.
Five Day Forecast for Chicago, Illinois
Friday: Breezy with storms late, high 79–85°F, low 38–52°F
Saturday: Morning showers, much cooler, high 48–55°F, low 31–39°F
Sunday: Breezy with possible frost outside Chicago, high 49–55°F, low 30–38°F
Monday: Sunny and cool, high 53–62°F, low 45–48°F
Tuesday: Warmer with partial sun, high 68–76°F, low 47–54°F
