Chicago, Illinois – Severe thunderstorms could rapidly intensify across northern Illinois Tuesday evening, placing more than a dozen counties—including the Chicago metro—under a severe thunderstorm watch through midnight as strong wind gusts and hail threaten evening travel.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 35 remains active for 12 counties across north-central and northeast Illinois until 12 a.m. Wednesday. The watch includes Boone, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago counties along with major Chicago-area counties such as Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
Cities from Rockford and Belvidere to Chicago, Naperville, and Joliet could see storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning during the evening hours. Communities including Schaumburg, Elgin, Crystal Lake, Waukegan, and Aurora sit directly within the watch zone as storms move through the region.
Drivers along key corridors such as I-90, I-94, I-88, and I-55 may encounter sudden downpours and reduced visibility during peak evening travel. Local emergency managers urge residents to secure outdoor items, charge mobile devices, and be ready to move indoors if warnings are issued.
Storm activity may continue through late evening before gradually weakening toward midnight, though additional warnings could be issued quickly if stronger cells develop across the Chicago metro and northern Illinois overnight.
