Tornado watch issued in Chicago area ahead of severe storms

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Weather officials issued a tornado watch for the Chicago area Thursday as severe storms were expected to move through the region.

The tornado watch was in effect until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Tornadoes, hail and wind gusts up to 80 mph were possible in the Chicago area and northwest Indiana.

A flood watch was also in effect until 11 p.m., weather officials said.

Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms were possible in the afternoon and evening, with rain rates up to 1 to 3 inches per hour.

The warning was issued a day after heavy rainfall and damaging winds swept through the area, causing widespread power outages and downed trees.

About an inch of rain fell throughout the area https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026/06/11/obstruction-on-tracks-causes-service-disruption-on-cta-yellow-line-trains-after-storms" target="_blank" >Wednesday afternoon with wind speeds reaching over 70 mph, weather officials said.