A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for northern Illinois, encompassing the Chicago metropolitan area and northwest Indiana, until midnight local time (05:00 UTC). The Storm Prediction Center elevated the severe weather threat for the southern suburbs of Chicago to a Moderate Risk, a Level 4 out of 5 designation, warning of potential strong tornadoes, wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, and hail up to the size of baseballs.
A Tornado Warning was issued at 4:50 p.m. local time for Livingston County after radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Pontiac. A broader Tornado Watch remains active until 11:00 p.m. local time for several counties, including Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Jasper, and Newton. The Associated Press reported that a large tornado has caused significant damage in a city just south of Chicago.
Forecasters specifically highlighted the risk of “tennis ball-sized” to “baseball-sized” hail within specific storm cells currently tracking through Livingston and Kankakee counties. This severe weather event occurs in a region with a history of violent storms, where cooler northern air masses frequently interact with warm, moist air drawn up from the south.
The Chicago area experienced a significant severe weather outbreak in July 2023, which saw at least 11 confirmed tornadoes touch down across the metro area, forcing travelers at O’Hare International Airport to shelter in place. However, in the world of meteorology, the region’s all-time record for a single day was completely rewritten on July 15, 2024, when a historic derecho spawned 32 confirmed tornadoes across the local forecast area.
Emergency management officials in the affected counties are advising residents to monitor local weather broadcasts and seek shelter immediately if warnings are issued for their specific locations.