Chicago, Illinois – A Tornado Watch is in effect for Chicago and much of northern Illinois until 11 p.m. Friday, putting more than a dozen counties and millions of residents on alert for dangerous storms and possible tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, Tornado Watch 508 was issued at 4:51 p.m. and covers Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, DeKalb, Kendall, La Salle, Lee, Ogle, Boone, Winnebago, Grundy, and McHenry counties. Cities including Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Waukegan, Elgin, and Naperville are under the watch until late evening as storms develop rapidly across the region.
Emergency managers urge residents to prepare for fast-changing weather, especially along the I-90 and I-88 corridors. Outdoor events and travel could be disrupted in places like Bolingbrook, Schaumburg, Evanston, and down to La Salle and Mendota. Residents should secure outdoor objects, charge mobile devices, and have multiple ways to receive alerts tonight. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail are all possible in these areas.
The Tornado Watch remains in effect until 11 p.m., with further warnings and updates likely as storms track across northern Illinois. Stay tuned for emergency alerts and be ready to take shelter if warnings are issued.
