National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rain in the Mid-Atlantic; Severe Thunderstorms in the Northern Plains; Critical Fire in the West

Locally heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible today into tonight near the Mid-Atlantic/Carolina coast. Storms with large hail and severe wind gusts are expected across parts of the central and northern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley. Dry thunderstorms, and warm, dry, and windy conditions will produce fire weather conditions in parts of the Great Basin and northern Rockies. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • Flash flooding, some significant, was observed across numerous locations in the Chicago Metropolitan Area on Sunday night May 17, especially downtown near the Chicago River.  The Chicago River rose high enough that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which manages the river, was able to reverse the flow to Lake Michigan.
  • The 3.11" ranks as the 5th wettest May calendar day ever in Chicago.
  • While flooding was the significant hazard, two reported brief/weak tornadoes also occurred in NWS Chicago’s Warning Area, one along the LaSalle / Kendall Co. border, second near Grundy / Will Co. border. There was no significant damage.
  • Two of the five wettest days ever recorded during any May in Chicago have happened in the past week!  Last Thursday's 3.53" of rain broke the record for the wettest calendar day ever in May in Chicago.
Summary
Widespread flash flooding across the Chicago metro area Sunday, May 17, 2020.
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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
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