Heavy rain battered large portions of the Chicago area overnight Thursday and carried into the early Friday morning commute, disrupting traffic and prompting weather alerts across the region. The storm system is expected to continue into the night, bringing the possibility of flash flooding, damaging winds reaching up to 60 miles per hour, hail the size of golf balls, and even isolated tornadoes.
The volatile weather pattern follows an intense burst of rain, thunder, and lightning that rolled through northern Illinois late Thursday. That round of storms led to severe thunderstorm warnings and caused an evacuation at the Windy City Smokeout festival held at the United Center. The ongoing series of storms has added stress to a region already grappling with localized flooding and dangerous road conditions.
By early Friday morning, torrential rain had drenched parts of Cook County. Emergency responders were already managing several weather-related incidents on major roadways. As of 5 a.m., at least five crashes had been reported across the city, including a jackknifed semi-truck on the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway at 63rd Street and a rollover accident on I-355 at Lake Street. Other trouble spots included DuSable Lake Shore Drive at LaSalle, where an underpass was reported to be partially underwater, leading to significant driving hazards.
Power outages further complicated the morning situation. Thousands of residents across the Chicago metro area were without electricity, according to the local energy provider’s outage map. As of 5:30 a.m., radar indicated that the first round of rain and storms was gradually shifting eastward, impacting portions of Chicago and nearby parts of Northwest Indiana. Meanwhile, meteorologists were closely watching a new line of heavy storms building over Iowa. Some models suggested it could weaken before reaching Illinois, but forecasts also warned it may maintain intensity, raising the risk of renewed storms later in the day.
The greatest concern for additional severe weather remains Friday evening. After 5 p.m., meteorologists place the entire Chicago region under a "slight risk" of severe weather, which is level two on a five-level scale. Storm threats for the evening include large hail, torrential downpours, strong wind gusts, and even brief tornadoes. Rainfall rates during the storms may exceed two inches per hour, raising the likelihood of flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
Beyond the storm threats, Friday’s weather is expected to remain hot and humid. Highs will sit in the mid-to-upper 80s, but the humidity will make it feel like the low 90s. These oppressive conditions may add to the danger, particularly if power outages persist and air conditioning is unavailable in affected homes and facilities.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the unsettled weather pattern continues. Saturday is expected to remain humid, with another round of scattered thunderstorms likely. The National Weather Service indicates that the highest potential for additional storm activity will occur in the afternoon, especially in areas east of Interstate 55.
Relief may arrive by Sunday, as forecast models predict a drier, slightly cooler day. Lower humidity levels and reduced storm activity will bring a break from the intense weather of the previous days, although officials continue to urge residents to monitor updates closely as weather conditions remain unpredictable.
Authorities are advising Chicago residents to remain vigilant, stay indoors during warnings, and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Emergency kits, flashlights, and charged cell phones are recommended as preparation for potential power disruptions or emergency alerts over the weekend.
