A severe weather threat looms over the Chicago area, with the risk of high-impact winds, large hail and possible tornadoes beginning Tuesday afternoon and lasting through the night.
According to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Iisha Scott, potentially severe storms could begin at around 4 or 5 p.m. or so and continue through the evening before subsiding early Wednesday.
While large hail and flash flooding are possible across central and northern Illinois, some areas face an increased risk of specific threats. Come Wednesday morning, commuters who are typically on the road between 4 and 6 a.m. will likely encounter storms moving through.
But Scott did emphasize severe weather is mainly expected from 5 p.m. through midnight.
Meteorologists warn tornadoes are possible during that period.
When it comes to tornado risk, the threat level is notably higher for communities in the southern part of the Chicago viewing area. The greatest threat targets areas south of Interstate 80, including areas such as Kankakee and Pontiac, as well as the central Illinois cities of Bloomington, Springfield and Champaign.
There is a level 2-3 out of 5 severe threat in the region Tuesday late afternoon through night. All severe hazards, including tornadoes, large to destructive hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding are possible. The main threat for tornadoes exists mainly well south of I-80. pic.twitter.com/MS4FpePMXE
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) March 9, 2026All types of severe weather are possible in those areas, including destructive winds greater than 70 miles per hour, hail exceeding two inches and torrential rain that may cause flash flooding in low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service has placed the Chicago area under a “moderate” flood risk.
Throughout the region, severe thunderstorms may produce fierce winds capable of downing tree limbs and hail strong enough to dent cars and siding.
NWS meteorologists expect storms to move east-northeast at 30 to 40 miles per hour.
Warmest conditions are likely south of I-80, where temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s will create the greatest potential for severe weather.
The further north you go, the lower the severe weather risk gets.
Temperatures in the 40s are expected in the northern communities, Scott said. North of I-80, the main threats are limited to mainly large hail and flash flooding.
A large swath of Illinois, stretching from around and south of Interstate 88 to just north of Springfield and Champaign, has been listed as a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk. North of I-88, the threat drops to Level 2.
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