Tornado Watch Issued for Chicago Area Ahead of Potential Thursday Outbreak

A tornado watch covering all of Chicago and surrounding counties in Illinois and Indiana is in effect until 9 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. A high-wind warning for Chicago and nearby areas is also active until 4 p.m., with gusts forecast up to 60 mph that could bring down trees and power lines.

The NWS has elevated the region to a Level 4 out of 5 severe-storm risk, the first such rating since a large tornado outbreak on July 15, 2024. Officials noted that the threat of tornadoes, including the possibility of violent EF-4 or EF-5 events, is higher than typical for severe-weather days. The greatest risk is projected for the western suburbs during the afternoon and early evening, when heat, humidity and strong winds are expected to combine.

A flood watch remains in place for the Chicago area and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana through 11 p.m. Residents are advised to stay weather-aware, seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued, and follow NWS safety recommendations, such as moving to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor and avoiding windows.

Outdoor concerts at Wrigley Field and the Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island are monitoring the forecast; gate openings have been delayed but no cancellations have been announced. The city is still recovering from Wednesday’s storms, which left over 5,600 active power outages affecting nearly 200,000 customers, according to ComEd. Restoration is expected to reach 80 % by Saturday night.

The NWS expects improving conditions on Friday with sunshine and lower humidity, though additional thunderstorms are possible late Saturday, primarily bringing hail and wind hazards.