A second round of severe storms was set to pass through Chicago Monday evening, just hours after thunderstorms dropped the area’s first rainfall in weeks and caused hundreds of thousands to lose power.
The Chicago area remains under a thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings expired earlier in the afternoon after wind gusts brought down tree limbs and flooded streets.
Over 249,000 ComEd customers were without power as of early Monday afternoon, according to a company spokesperson. The west and northwest suburbs were hit hardest. But power outages spanned the region from north suburban Evanston to south suburban Tinley Park.
The storms caused serious flight delays at Chicago’s airports. Delays were approaching two hours at O’Hare Airport and around 45 minutes at Midway as of 2:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
More than 200 flights had been canceled at O’Hare, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Midway was mostly spared, with only two reported cancellations.
CTA Yellow and Purple lines reported service suspensions due to track debris.
The first round of storms passed late Monday morning, with forecasters predicting 70 mph wind gusts and two-inch hail. The Weather Service issued a tornado warning shortly after noon, after radar showed tornado-capable storms and a “rotation” in west suburban Downers Grove. The storm continued moving southeast at 30 mph, according to an agency alert.
A second round of storms with an even higher chance of damaging wind is possible later Monday afternoon and evening, weather service meteorologist Scott Baker said.
“Being outside would be hazardous as these storms move through,” Baker said. “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
Forecast models have struggled to pinpoint rainfall totals because of the hot and humid conditions, Baker said. Rainfall amounts will likely vary significantly depending on where storms develop.
Heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding later Monday afternoon and evening, Baker said. A flash flood warning was issued for Monday afternoon.
The Chicago area remained under a heat advisory Monday, with heat index values expected to range from 100 to 110. A cold front is expected to move through overnight, bringing temperatures in the low 80s Tuesday, Baker said.
Chicago’s cooling centers will be open Monday during standard operating hours, according to the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.
Chicagoans can also visit Chicago Public Library locations, City Colleges of Chicago campus locations and Chicago Park District field houses for relief from the heat, the department said. The Chicago Police Department’s 22 district stations are available 24 hours a day for residents wanting to avoid the heat.
Residents can call 311 to request well-being checks for neighbors and loved ones, according to the police department.
The city of Evanston said its cooling centers are open and urged people to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity and check on vulnerable neighbors.
