Chicago, Illinois – Over 10 million Illinois residents are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m. CDT Wednesday as fast-moving storms threaten large parts of northern Illinois with damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service, the watch includes counties north of I-80 and stretches across the Kankakee River Valley. Cities at risk include Chicago, Rockford, Freeport, DeKalb, Morris, and Kankakee. Wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph, with quarter-size hail possible and a few tornadoes not ruled out.
The most intense activity is expected along major corridors including I-39, I-55, I-80, and I-94, posing a hazard to afternoon and evening commuters. ComEd customers in suburban areas like Elgin, Naperville, and Joliet should prepare for potential outages. Schools and hospitals across 20 counties could also be affected if storms intensify.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor objects, stay weather-aware, and ensure multiple ways to receive alerts. If a warning is issued, take cover indoors immediately and avoid travel until the threat passes.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch #518 remains active until 8 p.m., with additional warnings possible as storms develop.
