Chicago woke up on Tuesday in a gray soup of thick, slow-moving fog and unseasonably warm air, with temperatures near 59°F and very high humidity slicing visibility across parts of the metro. Drivers near the lake and north of I-80 are dealing with a slower morning commute, and the quiet start will not last long, with a heightened severe storm threat building for later today. If you have outdoor plans this afternoon or evening, have an indoor backup ready.
Fog And The Morning Commute
Low clouds and pockets of dense fog are settling in along the lakefront and in low-lying neighborhoods, and drivers on bridges and ramps may run into sudden drops in visibility. Use low beam headlights, ease off the gas, and leave extra stopping distance while the fog hangs around. For more on how mornings like this have played out recently, see our earlier Hoodline coverage on the foggy morning setup.
Afternoon And Evening Severe Threat
By late Tuesday afternoon and through the evening, the atmosphere turns primed for severe thunderstorms, with the potential for very large hail, damaging straight line winds and a tornado risk in parts of the region. Storms are expected to grow and track across the metro after initial development, and heavy downpours could trigger localized flash flooding where the rain comes hard and fast. The National Weather Service in Romeoville is highlighting these hazards and urging residents to track watches and warnings this afternoon and evening; see National Weather Service Chicago.
Timing And Neighborhoods To Watch
Scattered storms may first pop in the south suburbs in the 2 to 5 p.m. window on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, then spread east and southeast across the city. The greatest risk for severe weather runs from late afternoon into the evening. Temperatures will start out unseasonably mild before dropping into the low 40s behind the frontal passage, so conditions could feel very different by late night. If you live south or southeast of the city, make sure you can get indoors quickly if storms move in.
Rainfall, Flooding And Wind Through Wednesday
Some spots could see training showers that repeatedly pass over the same areas, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half inch possible in the heavier bands. Locations that picked up rain earlier in the week are more vulnerable to nuisance flooding. North northwest winds will strengthen tonight and into Wednesday, with gusts briefly reaching around 30 to 40 mph in the afternoon, and forecasters flag an additional period of very strong winds as possible late Thursday into Friday. Avoid driving through standing water and secure loose outdoor items before the afternoon wind shift.
What To Do
Sign up for local alerts, keep a battery powered radio or a charged phone nearby, and shift outdoor plans indoors if storms are expected near your neighborhood. Never drive through flooded roadways, and if a tornado warning is issued, move to a small interior room on the lowest floor away from windows. We will update this post if watches or warnings are issued that affect the city.
