On the heels of Friday’s fierce winds, attention is now shifting to the potential for another round of severe weather as strong thunderstorms, accompanied by intense wind gusts and the threat of a tornado, target parts of the Chicago area.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the majority of the Chicago area is a level 1 “marginal” risk of severe weather. Parts of Kankakee and Will counties face a greater threat and have been placed in the “slight” level 2 risk category, along with most of northwest Indiana.
Intense winds will be possible as a “widespread damaging wind event” occurs from northeast Texas to southwest Michigan beginning Sunday afternoon through the evening, bringing potential 60-mile-per-hour winds and isolated gusts of up to 75 mph, according to the SPC.
Some scattered showers could develop on Sunday morning before the threat of thunderstorms arrives. The highest chances for stronger storms sit east and south of Interstate 55 along I-80 into northwest Indiana, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said.
Damaging gusts will be possible from roughly 4 to 10 p.m.
With the Chicago area on the northern edge of the system, the tornado risk will be lower than in southern Illinois, which is at the “enhanced” risk level. Overall, the biggest threat will be straight line winds, Jeanes said.
The region is slated to experience both Spring and Winter weather in a less than 36 hour period. Sunday provides warmer temperatures and the potential for thunderstorms. But as a cold front swings through, winter returns overnight into Monday. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/9GBaY51bKn
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) March 13, 2026But areas east of I-55 and south of I-80 could see a brief tornado if a line of storms develops before a cold front later at night, he said. All thunderstorms with this system could produce lightning strikes, small hail and gusty winds, according to the NWS.
While parts of the Chicago area may have to deal with severe storms, others could experience much different conditions. Areas north and west of Chicago will face a lower threat of severe weather, but a higher chance of impactful snow.
Temperatures are expected to plummet from around 60 degrees to the 20s by sunrise Monday morning.
The NWS posted a “Weather Whiplash” timeline on social media, highlighting the dramatic shift from springlike weather and to winter conditions in less than 36 hours.
According to Jeanes, rain will transition to snow from the northwest to the southeast as temperatures drop below freezing after midnight through 6 a.m. Monday. Drivers should use caution during the morning commute, as wind gusts could exceed 40 mph and potentially impact travel.
Snow totals could range from 1 to 5 inches, with higher amounts more likely around DeKalb, McHenry and Boone counties. Chicago could experience around 2 or 3 inches, while lower amounts are expected in NW Indiana.
Bold and windy conditions will persist Monday, with blowing snow potentially causing travel problems even as it tapers off in the afternoon and evening.
Wind chills will sit in the single digits most of Monday before dropping below zero beginning in the nighttime hours through Tuesday, Jeanes said. Highs will remain in the 20s on Tuesday before returning to the 40s and the 50s for the rest of the week.
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