Chicago, Illinois – Strong morning thunderstorms are rumbling through northwest and north-central Illinois, bringing heavy downpours, dangerous wind gusts, and cloud-to-ground lightning—especially in western suburbs like Rockford, Ottawa, and Aurora—through 7 a.m. CDT Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, scattered thunderstorms will continue to track east-southeast at 20 mph. While the overall storm system is weakening, stronger cells—mainly west of I-39—remain capable of producing localized gusts of 45 to 50 mph and torrential rainfall. Affected areas are shaded in blue on the latest advisory map, with the most intense storms concentrated in a yellow dashed corridor from near Freeport to Ottawa.
Hazards include lightning strikes, downed limbs, and ponding on roadways. Motorists on I-88 and I-80 should expect reduced visibility and slowdowns during the morning commute. Residents are urged to move indoors at the first sign of thunder and avoid driving through flooded areas.
The severe threat is expected to diminish after 7 a.m., though lingering rain showers may persist through mid-morning. Stay alert for additional advisories if conditions worsen.
