Weather
Weather reports from Chicago and the suburbs.
Some scattered storms are expected to pass through the area Tuesday morning, but conditions may worsen in the evening with the possibility of severe thunderstorms and gusty winds, the National Weather Service said.
Flights leaving from O’Hare were delayed by over an hour as of 8 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Delays were expected to increase as thunderstorms passed through.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a slightly weaker display than on Friday night, with the strongest solar shows likely visible between 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday.
Although forecasters predict another half-dozen solar flares will land, possibly producing an aurora at southern latitudes that include Illinois, it’s unclear if any of them will be visible in the Chicago area.
Multiple rounds of storms accompanied by strong winds and hail moved through the area, the National Weather Service said. Hail was reported in Hyde Park. A ground stop was issued for O’Hare Airport, where 119 flights were canceled.
People have spotted nymphs of the 17-year cicadas on the ground. That’s a sign the periodical cicadas are preparing to emerge. They should appear once the soil reaches 64 degrees, which is expected by late May.
Showers, winds move through Chicago Thursday; temperatures to cool down through the rest of the week
Rain started moving through the area and is expected to continue into Friday, according to meteorologist Zachary Wack with the National Weather Service.
The Chicago Park District said April’s cold and wet weather has kept the buds of 190 cherry blossom trees at Jackson Park from fully opening.
A hazardous weather outlook, bringing gusty winds and showers, was in effect in Cook County on Tuesday evening, as well as much of northern Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana through midnight.
It’s one of 80 projects in 37 states, part of a new $830 million program for strengthening transportation systems against extreme weather events intensified by climate change.
Monday’s forecast for Chicago is “looking to be really good,” the National Weather Service said, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 66 degrees. Downstate Carbondale, in the eclipse’s path of totality, should have good visibility as well, meteorologists said.
A storm is expected to move from the southern Rockies to the Midwest Sunday and may leave some lingering clouds Monday.
Gardening pros say warm winters have led to early spring blooms in the Chicago area. Delicate flowers should be kept warm if temps linger below 20 degrees.
One of the twisters was reported just west of Manteno, and the other north of Herscher, both around 2 p.m. Tuesday. No damage was reported.
Heavy downpours and gusty winds are expected to last through Tuesday, and rain will mix with snow Tuesday night — turning sidewalks and roads into a slushy mess. “It’ll be a really gloomy, crummy day” according to a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Damage includes downed light pole, Cook County power outage amid recorded winds of 74 mph, the National Weather Service said.
Rain will be accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds that could reach up to 30 miles an hour, the National Weather Service. Temperatures Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 40s.
While 1 inch of snow was measured at O’Hare Airport, up to 9 inches was dropped in the Rockford area and around 6 inches fell in McHenry and Lake counties on Friday.
O’Hare recorded a high of 72 degrees Monday, one degree shy of the record set in 1983, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Rafal Ogorek. Rockford broke its March 4 record of 71 degrees in 1983, with a high of 75.
The tornado drill will be conducted by the National Weather Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday and will include use of emergency signals on radios, according to the weather service. The drill is part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week.