Severe weather expected in Chicago area and other areas of Illinois

The Chicago area has been placed on a severe thunderstorm warning, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is expected to affect multiple counties within the state of Illinois, including Cook, DuPage, and Will counties. Winds are expected to reach over 80 mph according to the NWS.

Storms are expected to proceed across the region Tuesday morning and into the afternoon.

18 total counties in Illinois are expected to be affected, including Cook County, with areas extending across northern and central portions of the state. Also including Livingston County in central Illinois; Ford and Iroquois counties in east-central Illinois; and Boone, DeKalb, La Salle, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties in north-central Illinois.

According to the NWS, the storm will also impact northwest Indiana and Wisconsin, impacting many communities near the I-74 corridor.

NWS is urging residents to remain weather aware as thunderstorms develop and move through the region. Residents should expect heavy winds, with winds approaching 75 to 85 mph.

Along with the high winds, some areas potentially receiving around a quarter-inch or more of rainfall. Frequent lightning is also expected through the storm, with heavy downpours and flooding in certain areas being possible.

Residents should closely monitor weather conditions according to the NWS. As storm conditions can change throughout the morning and late afternoon. Residents are recommended to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

The storms will also have an effect on air travel, with flights at O’Hare International Airport already being grounded due to thunderstorms.

According to an FAA report, arriving flights were experiencing average delays of about 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Those going to O’Hare have been recommended to check with their airlines for any flight-specific updates, as conditions change throughout the day.