The Chicago area is bracing for severe weather on Tuesday night, with the National Weather Service issuing a warning for damaging wind gusts and the potential for tornado development in the late evening hours.
According to a hazardous weather outlook released on Tuesday afternoon, NWS officials have raised concerns about an “elevated tornado risk” as storms from Iowa and Missouri are expected to move across the Mississippi River and into Illinois this afternoon.
While these storms may lose some of their intensity as they outrun the front heading towards the region, they are still expected to bring a variety of severe weather threats, including the possibility of tornadoes and wind gusts exceeding 75 miles per hour.
The Storm Prediction Center has classified all of northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana as being at an “enhanced” risk for severe weather, the third of five categories used to estimate the likelihood of severe storms.
In fact, the SPC has estimated a 10% chance of tornado formation within a 25-mile radius in Chicago’s western suburbs, including McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, LaSalle, Kendall, and Grundy counties. This chance decreases to 5% in Lake, Cook, DuPage, and Will counties, with a non-zero chance of tornadoes in the rest of the area.
The highest risk for tornadic activity is expected along and west of Interstate 39, although tornadoes could potentially form anywhere in the area.
However, the biggest threat from these storms is the potential for gusty winds, with some areas possibly experiencing wind gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour. The SPC has estimated a 30% chance of wind gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour within a 25-mile radius of any given location.
The timeline for storm activity is expected to be between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., with cooler temperatures following the front as it moves through the region.
Even if severe storms do not directly impact certain areas, residents should still be prepared for gusty winds reaching 40-to-50 miles per hour.
To stay updated on the latest forecast news and receive push alerts for watches and warnings in your area, be sure to download the NBC Chicago app.
In the event of a tornado warning, NBC Chicago will provide the latest information and updates. This newscast will also be available on the NBC Chicago app and various streaming platforms, including Roku and Xumo.
It is important for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during these severe weather conditions. Remember to have an emergency plan in place and seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued.
Despite the potential for severe weather, let us remain positive and stay prepared. The Chicago area has experienced severe weather before and has always come out stronger. Let us continue to support and look out for one another during this time. Stay safe, Chicago!
