Strong to Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall Early Wednesday

News Headlines

October 2025 Climate Summary

Overview

A complex of strong to severe thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall and prolific lightning moved across northern and central Illinois and northwest Indiana early Wednesday.

Wind & Hail
Photos & Video
Radar
Rainfall
Additional

Wind & Hail:

Sporadic strong to severe wind gusts and sub severe hail occurred as the complex of thunderstorms worked its way southeast across northern Illinois and Indiana after producing widespread damage in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Wind

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Preliminary Local Storm Reports

Photos & Video:

Damage and Lightning Photos

Mark Ellis, Harvard IL

Matt Spika, Ottawa IL

Captured News, Evanston IL

Barry Butler, Chicago IL

Anson Mount, Waukegan Airport

Anson Mount, Waukegan Airport

Damage in Harvard

Courtesy of Mark Ellis

Damage in Ottawa

Courtesy of Matt Spika

Damage in Evanston

Courtesy Captured News

Lightning over Chicago

Courtesy of Barry Butler

Lightning over Waukegan

Courtesy of Anson Mount

Shelf Cloud over Lincoln

Courtesy of NWS Lincoln

Radar:

Regional Radar and Cloud to Ground Lightning Loop

Radar Loop

~10pm CDT Tuesday to ~3:30 AM CDT Wednesday

Rain Reports

Rainfall Amounts

Additional Information

NWS Chicago Past Events Page

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