Live Chicago weather radar: Tornado watches issued for the entire Chicago area at night, brief tornado warning south, western suburbs
CHICAGO (WLS) — There is an increased likelihood of tornadoes over much of the Chicago area Wednesday afternoon, ABC7 meteorologists said, after a series of storms that brought heavy rains preceded them.
A brief tornado warning was issued for the southern and western suburbs around 5:45 p.m. but ended earlier as the storm moved rapidly eastward.
If you are in a tornado warning area, you should immediately seek shelter in a basement or closet or interior room without windows on the lowest floor of your home.
Tornado Watch has been issued to Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, McHenry and Will in Illinois and Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter in Indiana through 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service increases Chicago and suburbs to a 10% risk for a strong long-track tornado at 3:15 p.m.
A hurricane’s line of potential severe weather over our area is to the north and west of Rockford at 4 p.m., but as it moves easily it will move into an air mass over the Chicago area, which meteorologist Greg Dutra describes as humid. and quickly warned after the first round of storms on Wednesday passed.
It’s those conditions that result in the rare 10% chance of a tornado, and the even rarer rear hatch markings on the risk map indicating the possibility of a stronger, longer track tornado.
Latest Accuweather ABC7 Forecast
Dutra said risks of severe weather for the next few hours included a moderate to high risk of a tornado, a high risk of strong winds, a moderate to high risk of hail, and a high risk of flooding as the ground is already saturated with heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Cook, DuPage and Will counties until 4:30 p.m
Flood Alert in effect for Cook, DuPage and Will counties in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana until 7 p.m.
The City of Chicago released a statement on the weather, saying in part, “OEMC will continue to coordinate efforts with the Chicago Department of Water Management, Chicago Department of Transportation, Roads and Sanitation, Department of Assets and Information Services, Chicago Transit Authority, and other agencies on response and mitigation for any emergency situations The Water Management Department will have all flood mitigation equipment available on the streets and will prioritize assistance to areas where there are 311 high-level water complaints.”
City officials asked people not to use extra water for bathing or washing clothes or dishes during storms to help reduce the city’s wastewater system. Residents should call 311 or use the CHI311 app to report water in basements, standing water on roads, and bridge flooding.
There was some flash flooding Wednesday morning from rain.
After the first heavy rain on Wednesday morning, a second heavy rain is expected. These showers and thunderstorms can produce damaging winds and more rain.
The first half got underway at around 2 p.m., and another one looked to be building on Iowa at around the same time.
