Chicago, IL – Residents across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana should prepare for a volatile weather day Thursday, with strong winds, fast-moving showers, and sharply colder temperatures arriving by nightfall.
According to the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, southerly winds are expected to strengthen rapidly this morning, with gusts reaching 40 to 45 mph across much of the region. A narrow line of showers moving between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. could briefly produce localized wind gusts near 50 mph, increasing the risk of downed tree limbs and difficult driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Counties affected include Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, La Salle, DeKalb, Livingston, and Iroquois in Illinois, along with Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton counties in northwest Indiana. The strongest winds are expected during the late morning and afternoon hours.
By evening, winds will shift to the west, remaining gusty at up to 40 mph, while temperatures fall quickly. The National Weather Service warns that snow showers this evening may briefly reduce visibility and cause localized slick spots, particularly on untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses.
Overnight, wind chills are expected to fall below zero area-wide, creating a limited but notable excessive cold risk that will persist into Friday morning. Residents are urged to dress in layers, limit prolonged outdoor exposure, and ensure pets are brought indoors.
No spotter activation is planned at this time, but drivers and commuters are encouraged to stay alert to rapidly changing conditions.
