Chicago, Illinois – Damaging winds and dangerous lightning are expected to move across northern Illinois overnight, raising the risk of power outages and hazardous travel through early Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 77 remains in effect until 3 a.m. Tuesday for a wide stretch of northern Illinois, including Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and Winnebago counties. Storms may produce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph along with pockets of hail as clusters track east across the region.
The greatest impacts are expected along major travel routes including I-90, I-88, I-55, and I-294, where sudden heavy rain could reduce visibility and create slick conditions. Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, and Elgin are all in the path of storms that could bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages overnight.
Farther west, areas near the Mississippi River including Rock Island and Whiteside counties may see stronger storm cells earlier in the night before activity pushes toward the Chicago metro after midnight.
Residents should secure outdoor items, charge devices, and avoid unnecessary travel while storms pass. Keep alerts enabled in case warnings are issued while you sleep.
