Severe and dangerous storms are expected to hit the Chicago area on Tuesday evening as a cold front moves in. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Lake, and Will counties until 8:15 p.m. In addition, tornado warnings have been issued for several areas in the region.
A tornado warning is in effect until 7:45 p.m. for southwest Lake, southeast McHenry, and northwest Cook counties, while a separate tornado warning with the same expiration time covers parts of northwest DuPage and northwest Cook counties. A new tornado warning has been issued until 8:30 p.m. for southeast Lake, northeast DuPage, and northwest Cook counties, extending to the lakefront along the North Shore from Evanston to Waukegan.
These severe weather warnings have affected transportation in the area, with several Metra trains in the western suburbs being halted and ground stops at O’Hare and Midway international airports. A tornado watch is also in effect until 10 p.m. for Illinois counties in the CBS 2 viewing area and Lake, Porter, Jasper, and Newton counties in Indiana.
Storms have been accompanied by dangerous hail and strong winds, with reports of tornadoes touching down in various locations. The storm system is moving eastward at a rapid pace and is expected to impact Chicago and surrounding areas.
In addition to tornado warnings, a wind advisory is in place for all of northern Illinois, covering the period from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The strong cold front colliding with warm air in the region has caused temperatures to drop significantly.
This sudden shift in weather serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the importance of staying informed and prepared during severe weather events. Stay safe, stay informed, and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.