Chicago braces for a deluge today with scattered thunderstorms expected before 3 pm and possibly severe storms later in the afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL forecasts a high of 65 with breezy conditions featuring east winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is pegged at 30%, as reported.
The weather outlook turns grim tonight as thunderstorms are expected before midnight, with a possibility of severe weather including damaging winds and hail. The low will hover around 60, with south southeast winds reaching 15 to 20 mph, and possible gusts ascending to 35 mph. As per the forecast, "showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am" are on the table, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch.
A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for the region. Risks include "Elevated Thunderstorm Risk," coupled with a "Limited Tornado Risk," and "Limited Damaging Wind Risk" up to 60 mph. Furthermore, there's a "Limited Non-Thunderstorm Wind Risk" as noted by the National Weather Service in their advisory. A tornado threat looms west of I-39 accompanied by the possibility of quarter-sized hail and damaging winds. The general storm motion is expected to be towards the north-northeast at 40 to 50 mph.
Severe thunderstorms are possible later today into this evening. While the threat exists for the entire area, the greatest threat area is along and west of I-39. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/EXxXVMaQQz
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 16, 2024
Looking ahead to Wednesday, showers are likely before 1 pm, then the skies may clear marginally with a "slight chance of showers between 1 pm and 4 pm." The day anticipates high winds, with a south wind of 15 to 25 mph turning west-southwest in the afternoon and potentially gusting as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with further threats of severe weather into the morning. Residents and mariners alike are advised to be cautious as "Gale force winds and or very hazardous waves are likely" on Lake Michigan, and "Hazardous conditions for small craft are possible" on Friday, according to the NWS Chicago.
