Chicago, Illinois – Drivers and residents south of Chicago could face a brief tornado threat and damaging storms Sunday afternoon into early evening, especially east of Interstate 55 near Kankakee and the Illinois–Indiana border where two weather boundaries may collide.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, clusters of thunderstorms are expected to develop Sunday afternoon and move northeast at 40 to 50 mph. Areas east of I-55, including Kankakee County and northwest Indiana, are in a corridor where atmospheric conditions may support brief tornado development if storms intensify along the boundary.
Forecasters say damaging wind gusts capable of downing tree limbs remain the primary threat, but storms may also produce hail and intense lightning. The risk for tornadoes appears greatest where the advancing cold front intersects lingering warm, unstable air near the Illinois–Indiana border.
Communities including Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Watseka, and areas toward Valparaiso and Rensselaer could see the strongest storms during the late afternoon or early evening hours Sunday.
Travel along Interstate 57, Interstate 65, and U.S. Route 45 could quickly become hazardous as storms move through, with sudden downpours, strong wind gusts, and pockets of hail reducing visibility.
Residents should ensure they have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings Sunday afternoon, especially across the I-55 to Indiana state line corridor where storm interactions could briefly increase the tornado threat. Additional watches or warnings may be issued as the system develops.
