The Chicago area is bracing for more storms Friday night following the record-busting temperatures, gusty winds and rain that pummeled the area leaving thousands without power and toppling trees on Thursday night.
Thunderstorms are likely to start between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. with winds up to 40 miles per hour and the chance of rain likely, about 60 percent, according to the weather service. Areas east of I-55 will be impacted the hardest.
Meanwhile, we won’t break any records as of midday Friday, when temperatures hovered around 80, with the high topping out about 84. Saturday will be a different story with temperatures only reaching about 66
[4:50 AM CDT 5/16/2025] There is another threat for severe storms this afternoon and evening. The greatest storm coverage is expected east of I-55. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the main severe threats today. #ILwx #INwx (1/3) pic.twitter.com/1RnGit0Nhg
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 16, 2025
Late Friday morning, over 1,300 active power outages continue to impact 23,000 ComEd customers, according to the utility company. Roughly 400 outages are ongoing in Chicago.
Thursday night’s severe storms also toppled hundreds of trees.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation received over 700 service requests for downed trees and branches, mainly from the North Side. Crews were dispatched early Friday to clear the debris.
Thursday reached record-setting temperatures for Chicago when the high hit 93 degrees at O’Hare. The previous record for May 15 was 91 degrees set in 1961, according to the weather service.
Wind gusts of nearly 80 mph were recorded a couple miles offshore from the Loop and tornado watch was also in effect for parts of the state, but none were reported, a National Weather Service meteorologist told the Sun-Times Thursday night.