Severe Storms Threaten Chicago on Tuesday

Two rounds of storms, some severe, expected to hit the area.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:07pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive storm system looming over the Chicago skyline, with the city's skyscrapers and infrastructure dwarfed by the overwhelming power of the approaching weather.As a severe storm system approaches the Chicago area, the city's infrastructure and residents brace for the potential of damaging winds, large hail, and even tornadoes.Chicago Today

The Chicago area is bracing for a severe weather threat on Tuesday, with two rounds of storms expected to bring damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding, and the potential for tornadoes. A ground stop is in effect at Midway Airport through 8 a.m., and a ground delay is in place at O'Hare Airport through 8 p.m. as the storms move through.

Why it matters

Severe weather can cause significant disruptions to transportation, infrastructure, and daily life in the Chicago metropolitan area. Residents and businesses need to be prepared for the possibility of power outages, property damage, and dangerous travel conditions.

The details

The first round of storms is expected to move through early Tuesday morning, bringing gusty showers and thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 50 mph. A second, more severe round of storms is forecast to arrive in the afternoon, with the highest risk of damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

  • The first round of storms is expected to move through early Tuesday morning.
  • A second, more severe round of storms is forecast to arrive in the afternoon, with the highest risk between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The players

Chicago

The major metropolitan area in Illinois that is expected to be impacted by the severe weather threat.

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What’s next

Residents and businesses in the Chicago area should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take shelter if severe storms develop.

The takeaway

The severe weather threat on Tuesday underscores the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events in the Chicago region, which can have significant impacts on transportation, infrastructure, and daily life.