Severe Weather Threatens Chicago with Tornado Watch in Effect

Chicago is bracing for severe weather as a tornado watch is in effect for the region. Following Wednesday's storms, forecasters warn that the upcoming system could be even more dangerous. With a moderate risk of severe weather, residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepared for potential tornadoes and thunderstorms. Power outages affecting over 130,000 customers complicate the situation further. Read on for detailed updates and safety precautions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 01:25 IST

Severe Weather Conditions Loom Over Chicago

Chicago is still recovering from the storms that hit on Wednesday night, but a more severe weather system is approaching. A tornado watch has been issued for nearly the entire Chicago area, with meteorologists warning that this event could surpass the previous one. The Storm Prediction Center has categorized much of the region under a moderate risk for severe weather, rated at level 4 out of 5, a designation that is rare. The last occurrence of such a risk level was on July 15, 2024, when Chicago experienced a record-breaking tornado outbreak with 32 touchdowns, as reported by CBS News. Historically, this level of threat appears approximately once every two years. The National Weather Service has highlighted that the tornado threat for Thursday is significantly elevated compared to typical severe weather events.

Tornado Watch and Thunderstorm Alerts Issued

A tornado watch was activated shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday, encompassing nearly all of the Chicago area. This watch extends into parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, remaining in effect until 9 p.m. CT, according to reports from NBC News. Additionally, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Will and Kankakee counties in Illinois, as well as Newton and Lake counties in Indiana, valid until 3:15 p.m. The areas affected include southeastern Will, eastern Kankakee, northern Newton in Indiana, and Lake County in Indiana. A flood watch is also in effect for the entire Chicago area and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, lasting until 11 p.m.

Timing of the Severe Weather

The storms on Thursday are expected to arrive in two distinct waves. The first wave, occurring from midday until around 3 p.m., is anticipated to be more scattered and less severe. Ground stops were implemented at both O'Hare and Midway airports as this initial round passed through. By 2 p.m., Midway was still under a ground stop, while O'Hare had lifted its stop but was still experiencing delays. The primary concern arises during the afternoon and evening hours, particularly between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., when the risk for tornadoes is at its peak due to the combination of heat, humidity, and strong upper-level winds. The most intense storms are expected to move into the area from the west between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., bringing the possibility of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.

Power Outages Affecting Thousands

The timing of the new storms is particularly challenging for crews still working to restore power from the previous night's damage. Wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour caused significant structural damage throughout Chicago and its suburbs, downing trees onto power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity. As of Thursday afternoon, over 130,000 ComEd customers were still without power, even as the next wave of storms approached, according to NBC News.

Safety Precautions for Residents

Given the forecast for potentially violent tornadoes, meteorologists are advising residents to stay alert throughout Thursday and to be prepared to seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued. A tornado watch indicates that conditions are favorable for tornado formation, while a tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected on radar, necessitating immediate action.