National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Central and Southern Plains

Severe thunderstorms capable of very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes are possible today across parts of the central and southern Plains. Heavy rain will pose a threat for flash flooding across portions of central and coastal Texas. Thunderstorms may also cause isolated wind damage across the Southeast. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • Numerous storms moved south through northern Illinois Tuesday evening, producing scattered downbursts of 35+ mph winds, and in isolated locations these reached to 50+ mph causing damage.
  • Downbursts are concentrated areas of rain and rain-cooled air from thunderstorms, and this more dense, cool air hits the grounds and rushes out, at times causing damage.
  • The thunderstorms also produced heavy rain resulting in localized flash flooding, including in parts of the Chicago and Rockford metro areas.   
Downburst
Animation from College of DuPage webcam showing downburst.
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.


Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
nws logo