Chicago is soaking up a dose of early-season warmth today, with sunshine and highs near 73°F before the atmosphere flips the script and storms muscle in on Tuesday.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
South-southwest winds around 15 mph, with gusts near 30 mph, will leave the lakefront, bridges and elevated roadways feeling extra blustery this afternoon. Lightweight patio furniture, holiday decorations and anything that is not tied down could rattle or shift, so residents may want to secure loose items ahead of the evening commute, according to NWS Chicago.
Severe Thunderstorms Tuesday
A sharp cold front dropping in on Tuesday is expected to fire up scattered to numerous thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Forecasters say some of these storms could turn severe, with very large hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes in the mix. There is also a highlighted risk for heavy, training downpours that could trigger localized flash flooding from late Tuesday into Wednesday morning, according to the NWS forecast discussion.
Timing And Impacts
The primary window for stronger storms runs from Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night, with the threat lingering into the early overnight hours for far southeast suburbs. If storms organize or repeatedly track over the same areas, travel delays and flooded underpasses will be the main headaches for the Tuesday evening commute.
Late-Week Wind Risk
Forecasters are also tracking another strong system expected to move through late Thursday into Friday. Gusts of more than 40 mph are possible, especially behind the cold front, which could be enough to bring down weak branches and cause scattered power issues. Securing outdoor furniture and planning deliveries or outdoor work around the windiest period may save a few hassles.
How To Prepare
Residents are advised to tie down or move loose outdoor items, have an indoor backup plan for any Tuesday evening events and steer clear of driving through standing water. Keeping an eye on local alerts and National Weather Service updates throughout the day will be key before locking in travel or event decisions.
