In Belvidere, Illinois, a tornado collapsed the roof of the Apollo Theatre as 260 people attended a heavy metal concert, killing one person and injuring 40, officials said.
Weather
The National Weather Service said starting around 2 p.m. Friday, the Chicago area is expected to see destructive winds and the possibility of tornadoes that could cause extensive damage.
A seemingly relentless series of severe storms, likely with deadly tornadoes, are forecast to rip across parts of America’s Midwest and South over the next couple weeks, especially Friday, meteorologists said.
Spring is always an iffy proposition in Chicago, but it officially begins Monday.
In Chicago, you’ll lose an hour of sleep for one night but gain more daylight in the evening in the months ahead.
Chicago will dodge the worst of a storm system whose track has stymied meteorologists as it's approached the region.
At some point Friday, it will probably rain or snow, but how much of which form of precipitation will fall, and where, forecasters still can’t say with confidence.
The big story was the amount of rain that fell in the Chicago region: There have only been seven wetter Februarys since 1871.
At least two brief tornadoes touched down in the Chicago suburbs Monday — one in Joliet and another on the far north side of Naperville.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Chicago area. Slippery pavement will be a bigger issue than snow accumulation.
WTTW News explains the science behind lake effect snow. (Hint: We’re lucky to be on this side of Lake Michigan.)
Lingering lake effect snow could make the evening rush hour an equal exercise in patience, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service is trackiThe National Weather Service is tracking a storm set to hit late Tuesday, with peak snowfall during Wednesday morning’s commute. The greatest snow totals are expected east of I-55 and south of I-80.ng a storm set to hit late Tuesday, with peak snowfall during Wednesday morning's commute. The greatest snow totals are expected east of I-55 and south of I-80.
With temperatures averaging in the mid to high 30s, Chicago is seeing its fourth warmest January on record. Climatologist Trent Ford said the only years that were warmer were 1880, 1939 and 2006.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation has announced the 50 finalists in the contest. Voting is open to Chicago residents through Jan. 31.
From industrious sharks to the bird of the year, here’s what caught our attention this week on the climate and nature beat.
