A Level 3 severe weather threat with tornadoes possible hits Chicago Thursday evening
Chicago not done with severe weather after overnight derecho
Severe storms tore through the Chicago area Wednesday night in what forecasters have now characterized as a derecho, a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms. The system left a trail of destruction across multiple communities and barely gave residents time to assess the damage before forecasters issued a new warning: another round is coming Thursday, and it could be worse.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the Chicago area under a Level 3 risk for severe weather Thursday, with the most dangerous window running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Strong winds and tornadoes are the primary threats, along with more than an inch of additional rain. The derecho extended beyond Chicago into the Joliet area, where heavy storm damage and downed trees were also reported.
What Thursday’s storm threat looks like
Thursday will begin warm and humid through the morning hours, with conditions remaining relatively stable until around 11 a.m. Isolated storms capable of producing strong winds could develop between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The main severe weather event is expected to arrive in the late afternoon and evening hours.
From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., residents across the Chicago metropolitan area face a genuine threat of damaging winds and tornadoes. The Level 3 enhanced risk designation reflects significant confidence in organized severe weather developing during that window. Residents are urged to monitor forecasts throughout the day, stay aware of changing conditions and have a shelter plan ready before the evening hours.
Wednesday’s derecho left widespread destruction
The overnight storm system caused significant damage across multiple Chicago-area communities. In southwest suburban Stickney, winds ripped part of the roof off a condo building at the Ridgewood Condominiums along Pershing Avenue, displacing approximately 30 residents. Village officials said it could be several weeks before those residents are allowed to return. A building inspector confirmed that air conditioning units were also blown around by the force of the winds, though none landed on anyone.
In McKinley Park, a massive tree uprooted and crushed several vehicles near 34th Street and Paulina Avenue. One resident lost his only means of transportation and said he does not have the money to replace it. A woman on the same block returned home to find a second tree had crashed into her house and a neighboring home, knocking out windows and causing structural damage.
In south suburban Dolton, a tree came down on a home at 152nd and King Drive, caving in the roof while rain poured inside. The homeowner said the tree had been reported as dead to the village for the past two years. In Joliet, heavy storm damage and downed trees were also reported across the area.
As of early Thursday morning, more than 207,000 ComEd customers remained without power across the region, with restoration efforts ongoing.
Stay prepared for Thursday evening
With another significant storm system on the way, the advice from forecasters is consistent: do not wait until the storms arrive to make a plan. Charge your devices, know where your shelter is and keep an eye on local alerts throughout Thursday afternoon. The evening hours carry the greatest risk and the threat is real enough to take seriously.