Chicago, Illinois – Damaging winds and dangerous overnight lightning could disrupt travel and knock out power across parts of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin through early Tuesday morning as a widespread severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 77 continues until 3 a.m. Tuesday, covering a large swath of eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Cities under the watch include Chicago, Rockford, Des Moines, Davenport, Madison, and Milwaukee, where storms may produce wind gusts over 60 mph and isolated hail.
In Illinois, Cook, DuPage, Will, and Lake counties face the highest overnight risk, with strong storms moving across major corridors like I-90, I-88, and I-55. In Iowa, Polk, Linn, and Scott counties—including Des Moines and Cedar Rapids—could see intense bursts of wind and heavy rain that reduce visibility on I-80. Wisconsin cities such as Milwaukee and Madison may encounter fast-moving storms capable of downing tree limbs and causing scattered outages.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, charge devices, and avoid unnecessary travel overnight. Keep weather alerts enabled as storms may intensify quickly after midnight.
The threat is expected to ease by daybreak Tuesday, but additional advisories could follow as the system shifts east.
