Heavy Rain and Wind Shake Up Chicago’s Weather

A steady stream of storms is set to keep the Chicago area soaked and wind‑y through Wednesday. Meteorologists warn that as rain pours, the risk of flooding grows, especially in low‑lying parts of the city and Cook County. The forecast also signals that some areas may see severe weather, with a higher chance of tornadoes south of the city.

• First round: Showers hit around 9 am and eased by 1 pm.
• Second wave: Expected from 2–7 pm, potentially stronger with rainfall rates over 2 inches per hour—flash flood danger for streets and bridges.

Airport Impact

• O’Hare: Flight operations delayed until after 2 am Thursday. By mid‑afternoon, arrivals were ~82 minutes late and departures an hour behind.
• Midway: Fewer delays, under 15 minutes on average. Both airports had several cancellations.

Wind Advisory

Strong southeast gusts up to 50 mph could:

• Knock loose unsecured items
• Damage trees and power lines
• Make driving hazardous

A wind advisory is in place for several counties until early afternoon.

Water Use Guidance

Water managers urge residents to:

• Cut back on water use
• Limit shower time
• Avoid filling pools

An Overflow Action Day notice helps keep sewer levels lower during the storm surge.

Beach and Flood Alerts

• Beach hazard alerts warn waves of up to six feet and life‑threatening swimming conditions.
• A flood advisory is active until the evening for parts of Illinois, including Chicago.

Emergency Preparedness

• Keep batteries charged
• Stay updated on warnings
• Know where to go if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued

The next few days promise clearer skies and warmer temperatures in the 70s, offering a brief respite after the wet spell.