Science & Nature
Storms Packing ‘Destructive Winds’ Racing Toward Chicago Monday Night, 2 Tornadoes Confirmed on South Side Sunday
File photo of Chicago skyline. (S_UM_A / Pixabay)
A fast-moving storm system is barreling toward Chicago Monday night, with high winds and torrential rains likely to be the big stories, according to a forecast update from the National Weather Service.
There’s a significant threat of “destructive winds” in excess of 75 miles per hour — particularly on the leading edge of the storms — capable of downing trees and causing structural damage to buildings, the weather service said during a media briefing Monday afternoon.
These are not your “ordinary run-of-the-mill winds,” the weather service said.
The Chicago metro area is most at risk for flash flooding, particularly after more than 1.5 inches of rain saturated the city on Sunday night.
Tornadoes are also possible, according to the weather service.
Several neighborhoods in Chicago were under a tornado warning late Sunday night, after rotation was spotted by radar. On Monday afternoon, the weather service confirmed two EF-0 tornado paths were found on the South Side, with survey teams continuing to investigate and map the twisters’ tracks.
The explosive storms have already hit Iowa and are moving east at 40-45 miles per hour. They’re expected to reach the core of Chicago at 8 p.m. and clear out after 11 p.m.
(National Weather Service)
(National Weather Service)
(National Weather Service Chicago)
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