Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Chicago woke to mostly clear skies and a cool start near 61°F, but the calm is on borrowed time. Showers and thunderstorms are likely from late morning into the early afternoon, with a high near 73°F and gusty southwest winds expected. Brief heavy downpours could cut visibility on city streets and slow commutes, and those gusts may send unsecured objects tumbling. Keep an umbrella handy and build in extra time for both the morning and evening drives.
Morning Through Evening
A lead band of showers is expected to sweep across the area between about 8 a.m. and noon, followed by additional scattered storms into the mid-afternoon. New rainfall totals are generally a tenth to a quarter of an inch, though isolated heavier amounts are possible. Southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph, will keep things blustery and kick up choppy Lake Michigan waters. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the nearshore waters through tonight, according to the National Weather Service Chicago.
Wednesday Severe Threat
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 brings a far more serious setup. The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana in a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms, citing the potential for long-tracked tornadoes, swaths of damaging winds near 80 mph, and very large hail. Forecasters also warn that some storms could drop 1 to 2 inches of rain in a short period, raising the chance of flash flooding where storms repeatedly train over the same areas. Stay alert for watches and warnings overnight and into Wednesday afternoon, as the most dangerous corridor could still shift.
How To Prepare
If you have outdoor plans on Wednesday, move them indoors or have a firm backup, and secure loose patio furniture tonight. Charge phones and set multiple ways to receive weather alerts so you do not miss watches or warnings. If you encounter heavy rain while driving, pull over rather than try to push through standing water. For shoreline activity and small boats, postpone trips while advisories are in effect and check official updates before heading out.
