The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) said a fast-moving convective system that crossed parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes on June 10, 2026, has been preliminarily classified as a derecho after producing widespread wind damage, downed power lines, and measured gusts exceeding 145 km/h (90 mph).
Severe storms that produced damaging tornadoes outside Chicago killed one person in Iowa, damaged communities in Illinois and Indiana, and left hundreds of thousands without power across the Midwest and Northeast on Thursday, June 11, 2026. As of 03:00 CDT (08:00 UTC) on Friday, more than 650 000 customers were without power across 8 states, including at least 250 000 in Illinois and 170 000 in Indiana.
Powerful bands of lake-effect snow brought traffic on parts of Interstate 57 (I-57) south of Chicago, Illinois, to a standstill amid whiteout conditions on the morning of November 10, 2025. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned drivers to use extreme caution as snowfall rates exceeded 7 cm/h (3 in/h) in localized bands, producing near-zero visibility and hazardous travel across portions of northeastern Illinois.
Multiple school districts across Chicago and northwest Indiana announced closures, delays, or transitions to e-learning for Monday, November 10, 2025, due to a powerful storm that brought the region’s first snow of the season.
The season’s first measurable snow reached Chicago early Monday, November 10, 2025, as Arctic air swept across the Great Lakes, producing intense lake-effect snow bands over Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario. Travel warnings were issued from Illinois to western New York, with authorities urging drivers to avoid non-essential travel.
Severe thunderstorms caused flash floods across the Chicago metropolitan area on Friday, July 25, 2025, with over 150 mm (6 inches) of rainfall reported in Bridgeview within just two hours.
The first-ever Dust Storm Warning for the Chicago metro area was issued on May 16, 2025, as winds of up to 113 km/h (70 mph) carried dust into the city. The storm reduced visibility to near zero and affected major routes across Chicago and surrounding areas.
Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Chicago ahead of an impactful winter storm set to sweep through the region on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The storm could bring snow totals of up to 20 cm (8 inches) in some areas and create dangerous travel conditions.
Strong thunderstorms that wreaked havoc across the Chicago area on July 14 and 15, 2024, spawned at least 25 tornadoes, left one person dead, and over 430 000 customers without power.
A powerful and deadly derecho swept across the Midwest on July 15, 2024, leaving an 800-km (500-mile) path of destruction from Iowa to Indiana. The storm, with wind gusts reaching up to 169 km/h (105 mph), caused extensive damage, power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, and at least one fatality. The National Weather Service issued numerous Tornado Warnings as the storm downed trees, tore roofs off buildings, and disrupted travel across the region.
