Chicago, Illinois – Thunderstorms packing gusty winds and heavy rain are expected to sweep into the Chicago metro by early Thursday afternoon, potentially snarling traffic and disrupting summer plans.
According to the National Weather Service in Romeoville, storms are expected to develop after 1 p.m. Thursday across northern Illinois. A Level 1 of 5 severe storm risk is in place for the region, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph and locally heavy downpours. Areas along and south of I-80 could also see elevated heat risk, as temperatures climb toward 90°F under increasingly unstable skies.
Thursday’s threat follows a week of unsettled weather. Showers are likely to continue through Friday, with a 60% chance of storms developing again by mid-morning. Expect lightning, brief flooding, and downed limbs — especially along major routes like I-90, I-88, and I-55 during afternoon commutes.
Residents should secure outdoor items, delay travel if possible during peak storm hours, and remain weather-aware through local alerts. Power outages and flash flooding in low-lying areas are possible, particularly in Cook, DuPage, and Will counties.
After a brief break Saturday, heat and storm chances return Sunday and into Monday.
⚠️ Storms are moving northeast at 25 to 30 mph and may develop rapidly after midday. Stay off roads during active weather.
📆 Five-Day Weather Outlook for Chicago (June 25–30):
- Wednesday (Today): High 72°F – Scattered storms after 1 p.m.
- Thursday: High 90°F – Thunderstorms after 1 p.m., gusts up to 60 mph
- Friday: High 87°F – Thunderstorms likely between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Saturday: High 76°F – Partly sunny with slight storm risk
- Sunday: High 92°F – Hot, humid, with chance of storms
