Storms moving through the Chicago area Friday are expected to bring this week’s oppressive heat wave to an end, according to the National Weather Service.
“These storms today will basically bring the heat wave to an end in terms of days in a row of much of the metro hitting 90 degrees,” said Ricky Castro, a meteorologist with the weather service. “We’re gonna cool off behind these storms pretty substantially.”
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect Friday afternoon as storms moved over the metro area, Castro said. With the heat set to subside a bit, meteorologists’ main concerns for Friday turned to damaging winds, with frequent lightning and possible flash flooding.
O’Hare International Airport appeared to fall just short of 90 degrees Friday, Castro said. The Midway area did reach around 90 degrees, meaning portions of the metro area had a fifth day of 90-degree heat. Chicago recorded four consecutive days of 90-degree weather during this week’s stretch, from Monday through Thursday, Castro said. The last time Chicago had four consecutive 90-degree days was last July, he said.
The National Weather Service warned residents in Chicago, Evanston and Cicero that Friday’s storms could include wind gusts traveling 70 miles per hour.
“We’ve already had some wind damage up in northern Illinois, up near Rockton,” Castro said. “The concern would be that if that intensifies, that would go toward Kane County, DuPage County and then Cook County from there.”
Parts of Kane County saw 3 to 5 inches of rain overnight, increasing concerns about flash flooding in the metro area, Castro said.
Notify Chicago sent out an alert warning of a flood advisory issued Friday just after 2 p.m., which was in effect until at least 5:15 p.m., noting that 2 inches of rain had already fallen in Cook County. The alert warned residents that creeks and streams may overflow, and underpasses and roads could become flooded.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago issued Friday an overflow action day, advising residents to delay showers, flush less frequently and wait to run appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine.
For community fireworks displays and other evening plans, Castro said it was “wait and see mode.” Additional storms were expected Friday evening, but it was not yet clear where they might develop.