Severe weather threat upgraded for Chicago area with 2 waves possible Wednesday

The Chicago area is now under a heightened risk for severe weather Wednesday.

The Storm Prediction Center upgraded the region’s threat level from a one out of five to a two out of five, including all of Cook County and parts of northwest Indiana.

“We do have a threat of severe storms for later this afternoon through Wednesday evening. Actually all the way until about … midnight for northwest Indiana,” Storm Team 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said.

The biggest threats with the storms will be damaging wind gusts and hail, “however, can’t rule out an isolated tornado either,” Jeanes said.

“So through this evening, make sure you have a way to receive alerts,” he said.

Timing

The severe weather could come in two waves of storms.

The first wave is expected between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the second wave between 8 p.m. and midnight. There may be a break for a couple of hours between storms.

The severe threat continues through 10 p.m. for many, but potentially as late as midnight.

“A couple of those could be strong too,” Jeanes said, noting this is not an outbreak of severe storms like those seen recently, but one or two could have winds strong enough to cause damage.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for several counties until 10 p.m., including:

Illinois

• Lake
• McHenry
• Kane
• Kendall
• Grundy
• DeKalb
• LaSalle

Wisconsin

• Kenosha

According to the National Weather Service, winds could gust as high 60 mph, and hail could be the size of a quarter.

“Otherwise, expect lightning, downpours and gusty winds with most other storms,” the NWS said.

There is a slight chance for rain in parts of the region again Friday, but the biggest threat after Wednesday will largely be the heat arriving next week.

“The heat builds and the humidity builds through the weekend. Sunday starts to feel muggy and by Monday and beyond it’s oppressive, with temperatures getting into the 90s, could feel like it’s around or just above 100 degrees starting Monday through about the entire week next week,” Jeanes said.

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