Heavy Rain and Wind Shake Up Chicago’s Weather

A steady stream of storms is set to keep the Chicago area soaked and wind‑y through Wednesday. Meteorologists warn that as rain pours, the risk of flooding grows, especially in low‑lying parts of the city and Cook County. The forecast also signals that some areas may see severe weather, with a higher chance of tornadoes south of the city. The first round of showers hit around nine in the morning and eased by one, but a second, potentially stronger wave is expected from two to seven in the evening. This later burst could bring rainfall rates over two inches per hour, making flash floods a real danger for streets and bridges that have struggled with water in the past week. Because of the wet conditions, flight operations at O’Hare have been delayed until after two a. m. on Thursday. By mid‑afternoon, arrivals were running about 82 minutes late and departures an hour behind schedule. Midway saw fewer delays, under fifteen minutes on average, though both airports experienced several cancellations.Wind is also a concern. Strong southeast gusts up to 50 miles per hour could knock loose unsecured items, damage trees and power lines, and make driving hazardous. A wind advisory is in place for several counties until early afternoon. Water managers are urging residents to cut back on water use. An Overflow Action Day notice asks people to limit shower time and avoid filling pools, helping keep sewer levels lower during the storm surge. If you’re planning to be outside, check for beach hazard alerts that warn waves of up to six feet and life‑threatening swimming conditions. A flood advisory is active until the evening for parts of Illinois, including Chicago. The city’s emergency officials advise preparing early: keep batteries charged, stay updated on warnings, and know where to go if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued. The next few days promise clearer skies and warmer temperatures in the 70s, giving a brief respite after the wet spell.