Chicago, Ill. – Commuters across northern Illinois are facing sudden downpours and lightning this morning, with storms already moving through the Chicago metro and threatening to slow travel through the late morning hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through 11 a.m. CDT, impacting areas from Rockford and DeKalb to downtown Chicago and into northwest Indiana. The strongest cells may produce wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to 1 inch in diameter, along with intense bursts of rainfall.
Major corridors including I-90, I-94, and I-55 could see rapidly changing conditions, especially during heavier downpours where visibility may drop below a half mile. Cities such as Aurora, Joliet, and Kankakee are also in the path of increasing storm coverage as activity shifts east.
Drivers are urged to slow down on wet roads and avoid flooded underpasses. Residents should move indoors at the first sound of thunder and secure loose outdoor items ahead of gusty winds.
Storm intensity should ease late this morning, but additional alerts remain possible if stronger cells redevelop into the midday hours.
