High Wind Warning 4, NWS Chicago, IL

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
242 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe storms likely through this evening (highest threat
  between 5 and 10 PM). All hazards (tornadoes, destructive
  winds, significant hail) are possible across the entire area.

- After a dry and cooler day on Friday, there is another threat
  for severe weather late Saturday.

&&

.MESOSCALE...
Issued at 222 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

Quick update on latest thinking regarding today's severe threat.
The 18z sounding from ILX has shown an impressive EML (elevated
mixed layer) has advected into the area. This is resulting in
MUCH steeper 700-400 mb lapse rates, however at the base of those
steeper lapse rates there's been about a 2C+ warming in/near
700mb. That warming near 700mb and resultant convection
inhibition combined with weaker large scale ascent (for now) has
prevented the convection near the tail end of the morning MCS from
becoming rooted in the boundary layer and taking off. This bodes
well for reducing the chances for discrete convection in the open
warm sector across central IL.

HRRR continues to lose that convection much more quickly than
what is actually happening, however the WOFS (Warn-on Forecast
System) hangs onto that convection and the lingering footprint
of the cold pool longer than the HRRR. It too, loses that
convection quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly, but generally
depicts that the northern extent of the very concerning tornado
environment later this afternoon would be a farther south. It
wouldn't be shocking to see that northern extent shift a bit
farther south in later runs as WOFS initializes from current
radar.

Farther west, the low level response the sfc cyclone lifting
northeast has been quite impressive with northward surge of low
level moisture. Cloud cover and precipitation is preventing
boundary layer temps from warming in this area resulting in very
weak low level lapse rates. Farther south, across far northeast
Missouri some breaks in the cloud cover have allowed temps to warm
into the low to mid 80s, resulting stronger low level CAPE.
Satellite trends suggest that some partial clearing will
overspread much of northern IL this afternoon. This combined
with increasing southerly flow in the synoptic response to the
deepening low lifting north in Iowa should result in the
outflow boundary/southern extent of outflow from the morning
convection gradually lifting north and perhaps mixing out a bit
this afternoon.

It still seems like there will be a gradient between stronger
low level CAPE and weaker low level destabilization somewhere in
our CWA. Latest WOFS has the northern extent of that better low
instability and resultant very favorable tornado environment
getting as far north as roughly to an Ottawa to Chicago line by
later this afternoon. While the exactly how far north the more
concerning environment gets is lower confidence (ultimately may
not be a sharp line rather more of a gradient), but the general
idea of significant tornado threat increasing near/south of I-55
and I-80 seems reasonable.

There is a dramatic increase in low and deep layer shear comparing
ILX's VWP to DVN's VWP. The unseasonably strong shear noted on
DVN's VWP is expected to spread eastward across our CWA as the
afternoon progresses. Storm mode may tend to favor linear by the
time the convection reaches our CWA, but given the very strong low
level shear, QLCS tornadoes and perhaps even tornadic supercells
embedded within the QLCS will be a threat. This threat will likely
be more prolific where the stronger boundary layer heating leads
to stronger low level CAPE, but even farther north the strong
shear will support a QLCS tornado threat.

Finally, any discrete supercell within the warm sector later this
afternoon (especially southern CWA) will be in an exceptionally
favorable environment for strong tornadoes. While linear storm
mode is most likely, there is still some chance for discrete
supercell development in the warm sector, so we will be
watching that closely. If the remnant outflow boundary from
this morning's MCS doesn't mix out, then it would be a potential
source for enhanced low level vorticity and a zone we'd watch
for a locally higher tornado threat (both supercellular and
QLCS).

- Izzi

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

Broad mid and upper-level cyclonic flow will persist across the
northern United States through the period. While this will
maintain periodic opportunities for showers and thunderstorms
into next week, we will experience a brief break in pattern for
Friday. On Friday, a much less humid airmass shifting overhead
on westerly winds in the wake of this evenings cold frontal
passage will support a more comfortable weather day with
temperatures topping out around 80 under mainly sunny skies.

Humidity values will be back on the increase again for Saturday
as the low-level flow turns south-southwesterly in advance of
the next approaching surface cold front dropping southward from
the Upper Midwest. As the front shifts into our area late
Saturday into Saturday night, a narrow corridor of slightly
better low-level moisture return preceding it may support the
development of some scattered showers and thunderstorms. Should
these materialize, we will also have to monitor the potential
for some more organized storms into Saturday evening,
particularly given the presence of strong deep layer flow. While
not looking to be a major severe weather event at this time, we
certainly cannot rule out the threat for a few stronger storms
to become capable of producing instances of damaging winds and
hail. Accordingly, the SPC Day 3 outlook continues to highlight
our area in a level 1 of 5 severe weather threat for late
Saturday.

A push of much cooler and dry weather is anticipated for the
second half of the weekend into early next week following the
cold frontal passage Saturday night. Interestingly, this airmass
looks to hold daytime highs in the 70s (lows in the low to mid
50s) early next week. Conditions then look to turn more active
again (return of showers and thunderstorms) mid to late next
week as an enhanced northwesterly upper-level flow pattern sets
up across the central part of the country.

KJB

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1250 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

Key messages for the 18Z TAF period:

* Showers and non-severe thunderstorms to begin the period with
  gusty westerly winds possible

* Additional strong to severe thunderstorms in the mid-afternoon
  to early evening. Strong to damaging wind gusts, hail, and
  LIFR vsbys will be possible

The period opens up with a push of showers and non-severe
thunderstorms moving east across the Chicago metro. Gusty W
winds to around 30 kt and pockets of moderate to heavy rain can
be expected through around 19Z with additional showers
lingering. Storms have moved past RFD at the time of this
writing and will see largely shower activity through mid-
afternoon.

A push of strong to severe thunderstorms will roll across N IL
from the west from mid-afternoon through early evening. Storms
look to approach RFD after 21Z and the Chicago sites after 23Z.
Widespread strong to damaging wind gusts are the primary concern
from a TAF perspective, although instances of severe hail and
tornadoes will also be possible with these storms. Heavy to
torrential rainfall should bring vsbys down to at least IFR with
LIFR likely for a brief period. The severe threat should last
on the order of an hour or less over any given location with
additional showers and storms trailing into the mid-evening.

Outside of thunderstorm winds, WSW winds will back around to
SSE for mid-afternoon behind this first push of storms. Winds
will then abruptly turn westerly with the arrival of the
stronger storms and remain westerly into Friday. Gusts to 20 to
25 kt following the storms will persist into the night.

Doom

&&

.LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Flood Watch until 11 PM CDT this evening for ILZ003-ILZ004-
     ILZ005-ILZ006-ILZ008-ILZ010-ILZ011-ILZ012-ILZ013-ILZ019-
     ILZ020-ILZ021-ILZ023-ILZ032-ILZ033-ILZ039-ILZ103-ILZ104-
     ILZ105-ILZ106-ILZ107-ILZ108.

IN...Flood Watch until 11 PM CDT /midnight EDT/ this evening for
     INZ001-INZ002-INZ010-INZ011-INZ019.

LM...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for the IL
     and IN nearshore waters.

&&

Visit us at weather.gov/chicago

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
1129 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-121630-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
1129 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 /1229 PM EDT Thu Jun 11 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 4 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 80 mph.
     Level 3 of 5 Tornado Risk.
     Level 2 of 5 Isolated Large Hail Risk...up to 2 inches in diameter.
  Elevated Flooding Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Following a round of early afternoon storms, a second wave of
of more substantial storms will develop in advance of an
approaching cold front this afternoon. These storms are expected
to move across the area between 4 and 10 PM. These storms will be
capable of producing tornadoes and destructive winds, some
possibly significant. Instances of flash flooding may also occur
where thunderstorms repeatedly hit the same area.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Saturday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
  Limited Flooding Risk.

Sunday through Wednesday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotters will be needed today.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Moving toward the east at around 45 mph.

LMZ740>745-121630-
Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL-
Wilmette Harbor to Northerly Island IL-
Northerly Island to Calumet Harbor IL-
Calumet Harbor IL to Gary IN-Gary to Burns Harbor IN-
Burns Harbor to Michigan City IN-
1129 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Illinois
nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and the Indiana nearshore
waters of Lake Michigan.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Hazardous conditions for small craft.
  Significant Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Thunderstorm Waterspout Risk
     Level 4 of 5 Thunderstorm Wind Gust Risk...up to 65 knots.
     Level 2 of 5 Hail Risk...up to 1 inch in diameter.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Saturday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Sunday through Wednesday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

KJB

Visit us at www.weather.gov/chicago

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1256 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0407 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     South Shore - Chicago   41.76N 87.58W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in South Shore community area of
            Chicago. Relayed by Chicago 311. Time
            estimated by radar.

0405 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Lincoln Square - Chicag 41.97N 87.69W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in Lincoln Square, Uptown, and
            Edgewater community areas of Chicago.
            Relayed by Chicago 311. Time estimated by
            radar.

0403 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Auburn-Gresham      41.74N 87.65W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in Auburn Gresham community area of
            Chicago. Relayed by Chicago 311. Time
            estimated by radar.

0401 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Morgan Park - Chicago   41.69N 87.67W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in Morgan Park community area of
            Chicago. Relayed by Chicago 311. Time
            estimated by radar.

0401 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SSW Washington Hts -  41.71N 87.65W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in Washington Heights community area
            of Chicago. Relayed by Chicago 311. Time
            estimated by radar.

0308 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Portage Park - Chicago  41.96N 87.77W
06/10/2026                   Cook               IL   Public

            Multiple public reports of tree branches
            broken in Portage Park community area of
            Chicago. Relayed by Chicago 311. Time
            estimated by radar.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Chicago IL
244 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0100 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Marseilles              41.33N 88.72W
06/11/2026  M48 MPH          La Salle           IL   Mesonet

            US Army Corps of Engineers weather station
            at Marseilles Lock & Dam reported 48 mph
            gust.

&&

WSL

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
246 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

ILZ020-021-106-107-112100-
Kendall-Grundy-Northern Will-Southern Will-
Including the cities of Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris,
Coal City, Minooka, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena,
Channahon, Manhattan, and Wilmington
246 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

...Brief Period of Strong Winds...

A brief period of winds gusting potentially up to 50 mph is
possible through 3:30 of 4 PM CDT across Kendall, Grundy, and
western Will Counties.

- Izzi

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Chicago IL
247 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0222 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ENE Triumph           41.51N 88.97W
06/11/2026  M52 MPH          La Salle           IL   Public

            Private weather station KILMENDO42 reported
            52 mph gust east of Mendota. 8 mb pressure
            fall occurred over approximately 1 hour
            period.

&&

WSL

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Chicago IL
258 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0252 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Sugar Grove       41.77N 88.47W
06/11/2026  M56 MPH          Kane               IL   ASOS

            Aurora Airport ASOS ARR reported 56 mph
            gust. Wind gust coincident with 8.8 mb
            pressure fall within 1 hour.

&&

WSL

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Chicago IL
300 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0224 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNE Leland            41.66N 88.78W
06/11/2026  E65 MPH          De Kalb            IL   Public

            Private weather station KILLELAN2 reported
            65 mph gust north of Leland.

&&

WSL