Storms and Snow: A Quick Look at Sunday’s Weather in Chicago

A sudden shift in weather is expected for the Chicago region, with strong thunderstorms and powerful winds likely to hit parts of the city on Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center has flagged most of the area as a “marginal” threat, while some counties near Kankakee and Will face a slightly higher risk. The danger mainly comes from straight‑line winds that could reach 60 mph, and in some spots even up to 75 mph. A few showers may appear early Sunday, but the main threat arrives later in the afternoon. The strongest storms are expected east and south of Interstate 55, stretching into northwest Indiana. Wind gusts could occur between 4 p. m. and 10 p. m. , making driving hazardous, especially in the early evening. While tornadoes are less likely than in southern Illinois, a brief twister could still appear over the same corridor if a storm line moves through before a cold front arrives at night.Alongside these storms, the northern and western outskirts of Chicago will see a sharp temperature drop. By Monday morning, temperatures could fall from around 60°F to the low 20s, turning rain into snow. Snow amounts of 1–5 inches are possible, with higher totals near DeKalb, McHenry and Boone counties. Chicago itself may get 2–3 inches, while nearby Indiana could see less. Wind chills will hover around the single digits through most of Monday and drop below zero after midnight. The cold snap will linger into Tuesday, keeping highs in the 20s before gradually warming to the 40s and 50s later that week. Drivers should stay alert for blowing snow and gusty conditions, especially during morning commutes.