Chicago Weather Alert: More Storms Expected Tonight

Severe storms are expected to bring tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding to the Chicago area on Friday evening, with two rounds of storms approaching from the west.

The first round of storms is expected to arrive by about 4 p.m., bringing the potential for tornado warnings in the northwest suburbs. A tornado has already been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, damaging both the high school and elementary school while students were inside.

A second, more significant round of storms will arrive around 8 p.m., impacting the entire Chicago area with straight-line winds ranging from 60 to up to 90 miles per hour. This later round carries the highest risk for tornadoes, particularly in the western suburbs between 8 p.m. And 10 p.m.

Thunderstorms could drop one to three inches of rain across the region, with some areas seeing as much as three inches. This heavy rainfall increases the risk of flash flooding, especially on already saturated ground from previous rains.

A tornado watch has been expanded to cover the entire Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and Will counties, among others, and remains in effect until 11 p.m. For most counties. A flood watch is also in effect for the entire area due to the expected rainfall.

Storms are expected to taper off by midnight, though flood concerns may persist in areas that have received heavy rain. More than 51 million people from Texas to Wisconsin are under threat of severe weather tonight.