Severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were issued on Saturday afternoon as strong storms neared the Chicago area.
Most recently, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Will County, northeastern Kankakee County and southeastern Cook County until 6:30 p.m. The National Weather Service warns of 60 mile per hour winds that could cause damage to roofs, siding and trees.
A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois, along with Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 7 p.m.
The NWS also issued a flash flood warning was issued for southern DuPage County until 7:30 p.m.
Several wires are down across the Woodstock area as a result of the storm, Woodstock Fire Department said.
NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said the focus will be a complex of storms coming from Minnesota, northern Iowa and Wisconsin. But it remained uncertain exactly how far south the storms will reach.
After about 2 p.m., a storm system will arrive from the north or northwest, moving southeast into the Chicago area. Along with the storms could be multiple threats, including torrential rain and potential damaging winds of between 65 and 70 miles per hour, Jeanes said.
While ponding of water may occur on streets in some cases, widespread flash flooding isn’t expected.
A second round of storms could arrive after midnight.
The chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain exists, though there will be less of a risk of wind damage. Localized flooding will still remain a concern into early Sunday, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will drop southeastward out of southern WI this afternoon. Thru 3 pm, the primary threat area will be in the yellow highlighted area. Note that the threat will continue beyond 3 PM in and outside the highlighted region. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/NCkeJ0Siaw
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) August 16, 2025
Generally, Sunday looks drier compared to Saturday, but an isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible later again in the afternoon.
While potential storms will be top of mind for many, it won’t be all you’ll want to pay attention to.
High temperatures will be in the low to mid 90s on Saturday, with staggering high heat index values near 110 degrees in some areas south of Interstate 80. Communities west of Chicago could see the hottest conditions; feels-like temperatures in areas such as Aurora, DuPage, Morris and Romeoville are expected to reach 105 degrees or even higher.
It’ll even be balmy near the lake, with heat index values also around 100 degrees for the Chicago Air and Water Show.
But there is good news on the heat front: Sunday will bring some relief.
Cooler conditions will be felt near Lake Michigan, though some feels-like temperatures will push into the mid 90s farther away from the lake. Temperatures will start to slide slightly as the workweek begins.
It’ll be much cooler later on in the week – but we’ll have to deal with more heat first.
Heat index values will still be around 100 to 105 degrees on Monday, with temperatures in the high 80s to mid 90s. A dramatic cool-down will come on Wednesday, with highs dropping into the low 80s.
Clear conditions will be on tap later as well but not until Wednesday; both Monday and Tuesday also bring a chance of storms.
