NWS Chicago Blog

Effective May 1, 2024, flood impact categories will change for Turkey Creek at Schererville, Turkey Creek at Merrillville, and Deep River at Hobart. All of these locations are in Lake County, Indiana.

March 22, 2024: Heavy Snow Band Produces Up to 9" of Snow Accumulation in Far Northern Illinois

Published 2024-03-25

KXI-86 Crescent City NOAA Weather Radio Currently Off the Air

Published 2024-03-14

KXI-86 Crescent City NOAA Weather Radio Currently Off the Air

February 2024 and Winter 2023-2024 Climate Summaries

Published 2024-03-03

Climate summaries for February of 2024 and Winter of 2023-2024.

February 27, 2024: Record Warmth Culminates in Evening Severe Storms With Large Hail and Several Tornadoes

Published 2024-02-28

Spring Flood Outlook: Below average to near average flood risk for area river basins

Published 2024-02-15

Mid-Late January 2024: Ice Jams and River Flooding

Published 2024-01-26

January 14-17, 2024: Multiday Stretch of Bitterly Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills

Published 2024-01-17

January 12-13, 2024 Heavy Snowfall Event

Published 2024-01-13

2023 Calendar Year Climate Summary

Published 2024-01-04

December 2023 Climate Summary

Published 2024-01-04

Record Number of Tornadoes in the NWS Chicago Forecast Area in 2023

Published 2023-12-29

WNG-689 Hebron NOAA Weather Radio Off the Air

Published 2023-12-27

WNG-689 Hebron NOAA Weather Radio Off the Air

Fall and November 2023 Climate Summaries

Published 2023-12-04

Preview NWPS, the updated river observations and forecasts site planned to replace AHPS in 2024

Published 2023-11-30

Thanksgiving Climate Data for Chicago and Rockford

Published 2023-11-22

Attend Virtual Winter Spotter Training! There are 2 Virtual Classes remaining!

Published 2023-11-20

October 2023 Climate Recap

Published 2023-11-01

September 2023 Climate Recap

Published 2023-10-02

Climate summary for September 2023 for Chicago and Rockford

September 17, 2023: Significant Flash Flooding in the Near South Suburbs of Chicago

Published 2023-09-18

Drought conditions worsening across the area

Published 2023-09-07

Summer and August 2023 Climate Summaries

Published 2023-09-02

August 23-24, 2023: Late Summer Heat Wave Results in Consecutive Days With 115°+ Heat Indices

Published 2023-08-25

July 2023 Climate Recap

Published 2023-08-01

July 28-29, 2023: Multiple Rounds of Storms, Including Several Late Night Tornadoes and Damaging Winds

Published 2023-07-29

July 14, 2023: Storms Produce Damaging Winds Across Northern Illinois and an EF-0 Tornado in DuPage County

Published 2023-07-15

July 12, 2023: Localized Tornado Outbreak with 13 Tornadoes Across Northeast Illinois

Published 2023-07-13

June 2023 Climate Recap

Published 2023-07-03

July 2, 2023: Significant Flash Flooding in Chicago and Nearby Suburbs

Published 2023-07-03

Fermilab Recognized as StormReady!

Published 2023-06-14

This week (June 4-10) is Beach Hazards & Water Safety Awareness Week!Â

Published 2023-06-04

Link to announce Beach Hazard and Water Safety Awareness Week for 2023!

Scattered Storms Produce Spotty, But Beneficial Rainfall

Published 2023-06-03

Spring and May 2023 Climate Summaries

Published 2023-06-02

Soliciting Comments on the Display of Future Plain Language Headlines to Replace â€œAdvisoryâ€

Published 2023-05-25

National Safe Boating Week through May 26, 2023

Published 2023-05-22

May 7, 2023: Severe Thunderstorms Produce Damaging Winds, Large Hail, Landspouts, Heavy Rain, and Blowing Dust

Published 2023-05-08

April 2023 Climate Summary

Published 2023-05-02

April 19-20, 2023: Two Rounds of Storms Bring Large Hail and Damaging Winds To the Region

Published 2023-04-21

Student Internship at NWS Chicago - Application Period Open Through April 26

Published 2023-04-18

April 4-5, 2023: Multiple Rounds of Severe Storms Produce a Swath of Significant Hail and Locally Severe Winds

Published 2023-04-05

March 31, 2023: Third Largest Tornado Outbreak on Record in the U.S. Produces 22 Tornadoes in the Local Area

Published 2023-04-01

March 26, 2023: Strong to Severe Storms Produce Hail Near and Along the I-80 Corridor

Published 2023-03-27

March 9-10, 2023: Winter Storm Produces Up To Over 9 Inches of Heavy Wet Snow in Far Northern Illinois

Published 2023-03-10

March 3, 2023: Thundersnow Brings Quick Accumulations and Strong Winds South of I-80

Published 2023-03-04

Winter and February 2022-2023 Climate Summaries

Published 2023-03-02

February 22-23, 2023: Ice Storm Across Portions of Northern Illinois; Heavy Rainfall Farther South

Published 2023-02-24

Summer Student Volunteer Application Period is OPEN

Published 2023-02-06

Student Volunteer Request

January 2023 Climate Summary

Published 2023-02-02

January 28-29, 2023: Heavy Snowfall in Far Northern Illinois; Nighttime Freezing Rain Elsewhere

Published 2023-01-29

Illinois Tollway Recognized as StormReady!

Published 2023-01-26

2022 Annual Climate Summary

Published 2023-01-05

December 2022 Climate Summary

Published 2023-01-05

Fall and November 2022 Climate Summaries

Published 2022-12-02

November 5, 2022: Damaging Winds Sweep across Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana

Published 2022-11-06

October 2022 Climate Review

Published 2022-11-01

2022-2023 Virtual Winter Weather Preparedness and Spotter Training Schedule!

Published 2022-10-27

IL-IN Sea Grant Honored as a 2022 Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence!

Published 2022-10-26

The Des Plaines Tornado of May 22, 1855: A Revised Location of a Historic Chicago-Area Tornado

Published 2022-10-21

2022-2023 Winter Outlook

Published 2022-10-20

September 2022 Climate Review

Published 2022-10-01

Climate review for the month of September 2022.

September 11-12, 2022: Heavy Rain Results in Flash Flooding on the North Side of Chicago

Published 2022-09-12

Changes to flood impact categories for Thorn Creek at Thornton effective October 11

Published 2022-09-08

Effective October 11, 2022, flood impact categories for Thorn Creek at Thornton will change.

Changes to flood impact categories for Mazon River near Coal City effective October 11

Published 2022-09-08

Effective October 11, 2022, flood impact categories for the Mazon River near Coal City will change.

August 28, 2022: Thunderstorms Produce Scattered Wind Damage in Northern Illinois

Published 2022-08-31

Changes to flood impact categories for Fox River at Elgin effective September 15

Published 2022-08-15

Effective September 15, 2022, flood impact categories for the Fox River at Elgin will change. Minor, moderate, and major flood stage are being adjusted downward based upon a review of flood impacts tied to the river gauge in Elgin.

July 2022 Climate Review

Published 2022-08-01

July 22-23, 2022: Overnight Storms Produce Hail, Flooding, and Three Tornadoes in the Chicago Metro

Published 2022-07-25

July 4-5, 2022: Multiple Rounds of Storms Produce Damaging Winds and Minor Flooding in Parts of Northern Illinois

Published 2022-07-06

June 2022 Climate Review

Published 2022-07-01

June 13-15, 2022: Early Summer Heat Episode

Published 2022-06-16

June 13, 2022: Supercell Storm Brings a Swath of Severe Wind Damage and Two Tornadoes to the Chicago Metro

Published 2022-06-14

Recap of the June 13, 2022 Supercell that moved through northeast Illinois and the Chicago metro.

It's Beach Hazards and Water Safety Awareness Week!

Published 2022-06-05

Scheduled KLOT Radar Outage Continues this Week

Published 2022-05-05

April 30, 2022: Storms produce short-lived tornadoes in northern Illinois as well as wind damage in Rockford

Published 2022-05-01

March 5-6, 2022: Potent Early Spring Storm System Brings Severe Storms and Strong Winds

Published 2022-03-06

Winter 2021-22 Climate Summary

Published 2022-03-03

February 16-17, 2022: Burst of Heavy Snow Follows Heavy Rain the Night Before

Published 2022-02-18

January 2022 Climate Review

Published 2022-02-04

February 1-3, 2022: Winter Storm Brings Large 10"+ Footprint and Blowing Snow

Published 2022-02-03

January 8, 2022: Widespread Freezing Drizzle Brings Glaze to Most of the Area

Published 2022-01-09

2021 Annual Climate Summary

Published 2022-01-04

December 15-16, 2021: Record Warmth Accompanied by Strong, Damaging Winds

Published 2021-12-16

Change to issuance criteria for River Flood Advisories effective March 1

Published 2021-12-13

Effective March 1, 2022, the criteria for issuing River Flood Advisories within the hydrologic service area of the NWS Chicago office will change. On and after the effective date, River Flood Advisories will only be issued on a situational basis. Presently, they are issued any time water levels are expected to reach Action Stage but remain below Minor Flood Stage.

December 10, 2021: Scattered Severe Winds in the Area & EF-0 Tornado in Lake County, IN

Published 2021-12-11

November and Fall 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-12-03

Thank You to All Weather Spotters - Skywarn Recognition Day 2021

Published 2021-12-03

October 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-11-02

October 24-25, 2021: Autumn System Brings Widespread Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds, Lakeside Flooding

Published 2021-10-26

2021-22 Winter Outlook

Published 2021-10-21

Streator Fire Department Honored as a 2021 Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence!

Published 2021-10-04

September 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-10-01

August 24, 2021: Thunderstorms Produce Wind Damage and Localized Flooding in Northern Illinois

Published 2021-08-25

August 12, 2021: Significant Flash Flooding in and Near Gibson City, IL

Published 2021-08-12

August 9, 2021: 10 Tornadoes and Significant Rainfall for Parts of Northern Illinois

Published 2021-08-10

July 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-08-01

July 29: Overnight Severe Storms Bring Wind Damage to Parts of Northern Illinois

Published 2021-07-29

July 24, 2021: Gusty Thunderstorms Track Across Part of the Area on Saturday

Published 2021-07-25

July 12, 2021: Significant Flash Flooding in and Near Seneca, IL

Published 2021-07-13

4th of July Climate Statistics

Published 2021-07-04

June 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-07-02

Dangerous Conditions at Lake MI Beaches Thursday-Friday: Beach Hazards Awareness

Published 2021-06-30

June 25-26, 2021: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding

Published 2021-06-28

June 11-12, 2021: Localized Severe Weather

Published 2021-06-12

National Safe Boating Week: May 22-May 28

Published 2021-05-24

Recording of NWS Chicago Severe Weather Q&A with Guest Facilitator Dr. Victor Gensini!

Published 2021-03-11

Meteorological Winter 2020-2021 and February 2021 Climate Summary

Published 2021-03-02

New flood warning services on the North Branch Chicago River at Chicago

Published 2021-03-01

River flood warning services for the North Branch Chicago River at Chicago will begin April 15, 2021. Flood impact categories will also change at that time.

Join us for a Severe Weather Q & A Webinar on Tuesday Evening March 2nd!

Published 2021-02-26

2020-2021 Winter Events and an Active Three Weeks in Perspective

Published 2021-02-18

February 14-16, 2021: Heavy Snowfall in Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana

Published 2021-02-16

Storm Spotter Training Webinar Dates Set. Register Now!

Published 2021-02-03

January 2021 Monthly Climate Summary

Published 2021-02-02

This Week Marks Ten Years Since the Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011

Published 2021-02-02

January 19, 2021: Intense Evening Snow Squall Impacts Parts of Chicago Metro

Published 2021-01-21

NWS Chicago Winter 2020-21 Outlook (Including Webinar Recording and PDF)

Published 2020-12-05

Provide Your Feedback about Frost and Freeze Products Issued by the National Weather Service

Published 2020-11-22

November 15, 2020: Windy Autumn Continues with 50+ mph Gusts

Published 2020-11-15

Volunteer River Ice Spotters Needed for Winter 2020-2021

Published 2020-11-13

Volunteer river ice spotters still needed for winter 2020-2021. Observe river ice each Monday to improve awareness of potential ice jam flooding. Contact our office for more information or if you are interested.