Windy City Storm Chasers

09/11/2025

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST MONDAY...

⚠️This warning is for Chicago (Cook County) and NW Indiana (Lake and Porter counties - Griffith IN area). NWS is putting numbers of 12” or more possible out there but currently models seem to be trending DOWN for the Chicago side of this storm. I feel that those accumulation totals for Chicago are overdone.

The area to be concerned with is the NW IN and SW Michigan state line area (South and SE of the Lake). NAM3k and HRRR are in the 4-8” range for Chicago with 8”+ with localized areas. 12”+ possible in Indiana and SE Michigan.

⚠️This will all depend on where this band of heavy lake effect snow will develop and train over tonight into tomorrow morning. Most people west of I294 will not see anything, but a few miles east could be drastically different. Sunday 9-10PM is likely when snowfall will start last through Monday morning.

* WHAT...Dangerous to impossible travel conditions due to intense lake effect snow expected. Snow rates in excess of 3 inches per hour, localized total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches, and northerly wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are expected.

* WHERE...Central Cook, Eastern Will, Northern Cook, and Southern Cook Counties.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to noon CST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Snow rates in excess of 3 inches per hour will cripple travel, including during the Monday morning commute. Strong northerly wind gusts in excess of 30 mph will lead to greatly reduced visibility, especially near the Lake Michigan shoreline. Periods of thundersnow will occur, as well.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow is often very localized, with conditions varying from safe to dangerous across just a few miles. Snow totals in the Winter Storm Warning area may vary considerably from one location to the next.

08/11/2025

835AM - WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED for blue shaded counties in NE IL and northern IN.

Rain switching to snow late tonight after 10pm with lake effect possibly lasting through Monday morning..

❗️Lake Effect snow will be what to keep an eye on with this system and where these lake effect bands set up will play a huge part in where any snow does accumulate. Lake Effect snow is absolutely not easy to try and forecast, so just keep that in mind when you see these “totals maps” that will be flying around today on facebook.

⚠️For the Sandwich area I don’t see more than a dusting to an inch at best on the grass. NW Indiana near the IN/MI state line will be the area to watch for lake affect accumulations.

⚠️The IL/Chicago shoreline will be an area to watch for lake effect accumulations as well, but I honestly don’t see much happening on the IL side and feel like the NWS is just CYA-ing with their forecast just incase.

⚠️Latest HRRR and NAM 3K shown below last in photos.

❌There is another map already circulating by a Chicago area page with totals of 12-24” for Chicago, don’t put much on that, or that page honestly. He makes posts like that to generate hype and post interaction to make money.

28/10/2025

896Mb with 180mph sustained winds and gusts of up to 240mph (241mph recorded at 700ft).

This is the equivalent of a EF4 tornado with an eye that is 12miles wide. Unfortunately these small villages and towns there just simply aren’t built for storm anywhere close to this. This one is going to be catastrophic for the island.

18/08/2025

Tornado Warning

Pingree Grove take cover. Elgin area be ready!

Storm is moving at 25 mph due east

18/08/2025

WEATHER UPDATE

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING 5-8PM

Another round of severe thunderstorms are possible this evening, with strong damaging winds, hail and a tornado or 2 can’t be ruled out completely. Time to watch for developments will be in the 4-8pm range.

Updates will be posted as needed!

18/08/2025

09/08/2025

Severe Storms Possible this evening into night for NW IL and along the IL/WI state line.

Timing will be from 6-10pm

Strong damaging winds, hail and a low chance of a couple tornadoes are possible.

Updates will be posted as needed

24/07/2025

Storm coming through Oswego

16/07/2025

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS!

Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings from Elgin down to Dwight. This line of storms is capable of producing winds of 60 mph or greater and Penny size hail. Frequent cloud to ground lightning as well.

16/07/2025

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued

A line of storms moving to the east at 30 mph has now been severe warned that is a long I39. 60 to 70 mph winds and Penny size hail are possible.

16/07/2025

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued for northern IL and NW IN until 8pm. A couple of tornadoes possible, hail up to the size of quarters, and wind gusts up to 70mph are also possible.