Weather

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch across much of northern Illinois until 11 p.m. Friday.

A Lake in the Hills garage was hit by lightning during Thursday's storm, one of several strikes reported in McHenry County

The National Weather Service says threats for strong to severe thunderstorms and flash flooding will continue across northern Illinois through Saturday.

Severe storms that rolled through McHenry County Thursday night seem to be the culprit of multiple responses from emergency departments, many of which were fires that appear to have been started by lightning.

The legislation would make NWS meteorologists and support staff “mission critical” public safety workers, giving them the same employment protections as airport Transportation Security Administration agents and making it harder for future administrations to lay them off.

The greatest flooding risk is expected near and north of Interstate 80, according to the National Weather Service

Temperatures pushed into the upper 80s and lower 90s during the first two weeks of summer. Check out photos of kids cooling off in communities across the Illinois Valley.

Here’s a look at some of the most deadly flooding nationwide in the past 25 years

Families sifted through waterlogged debris Sunday and stepped inside empty cabins at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp ripped apart by flash floods that washed homes off their foundations and killed at least 78 people in central Texas

In a news release issued Saturday, July 5, 2025, the police department announced what to do if inclement weather appears and people need to take shelter quickly.

Last year, 145 people died in flash floods, according to the weather service. On average over the past 30 years, floods have claimed 127 lives annually

Crews searched through the dark early Saturday for two dozen children from a girls’ camp and many others still missing after a wall of water rushed down a river in the Texas Hill Country during a powerful storm that killed at least 24 people

For the second time in 24 hours, a pavement blowout caused a portion of Route 2 to be closed Wednesday evening, July 2, 2025, between Oregon and Byron.

Two pavement blowouts caused a portion of Illinois Route 2 to be closed between Oregon and Byron early Tuesday evening, July 1, 2025.

At least 14 counties across northern Illinois are experiencing moderate drought conditions as of July 1

Tropical Storm Flossie strengthened off Mexico’s southwestern Pacific coast on Monday as the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Barry dumped rain on eastern Mexico

After a slight dip from summer heat on Friday, the Illinois Valley is expected to see hot and humid conditions over the weekend, with a chance of storms by Sunday.

Theodore Street in Joliet buckled during the intense heat this week. Still, the city of Joliet says problems like that should not be a widespread issue locally because most streets are asphalt paved.

With temperatures reaching well into the 90's the last few days, DeKalb County residents have had to find ways to stay cool.

As extreme heat is predicted for northern Illinois in the coming days, health departments are warning residents of the signs of heat sickness. Cooling centers can found throughout Will County.

Summer school on Monday has been canceled for students at Joliet Public Schools District 86 because of “dangerous weather forecast of high heat and humidity,” school officials said.

When it gets hot outside, pet owners need to remember to keep their dogs, cats, horses and any other beloved pets cool.

Heat indexes in McHenry County could climb to the triple digits in the coming days.

Forecasters warn that peak heat indices could climb above 100 degrees for several days

The heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts

Rainy weather forces cancellation of Woodstock band concert

Northern Illinois residents should prepare for severe storms today and dangerous heat beginning this weekend, according to the National Weather Service

A two-day stretch of severe weather is headed to northern Illinois, with storms expected to impact the region Tuesday afternoon before a more significant threat arrives on Wednesday

Northern Illinois could see strong to severe thunderstorms late Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service

Families from Polo, Rock Falls, Morrison and Dixon headed to Dixon Park District’s Water Wonderland splash pad looking to beat the heat on a hot and sunny Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Scattered thunderstorms Monday in northern Illinois could bring gusty winds and hail

Air quality alert issued for several northern Illinois counties; sensitive groups advised to take precautions outdoors.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires carried another day of poor air quality south of the border to the Midwest, where conditions in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were rated “very unhealthy” Tuesday

A tree fell on a house in Harvard during severe weather that made its way through McHenry County early Tuesday afternoon.

Combined rain and snowfall this spring was well below normal across northern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service

Smoke from Canadian wildfires could filter the sun a bit this weekend, according to the National Weather Service

Get ready for several years of even more record-breaking heat that pushes Earth to more deadly, fiery and uncomfortable extremes, two of the world’s top weather agencies forecast

Joliet's new Certified Emergency Response Team starts with 28 volunteers from various walks of life ready to stop in when first responders need help.

Prior to Friday, the last time a significant dust storm impacted Chicago was during the Dust Bowl on May 10, 1934, according to the National Weather Service

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain reported that deputies were not called to respond to any issues in Kane County following Friday's dust storm.

Illinois officials are urging people not to travel amid dust storm warnings across parts of the state, including much of the Chicago area.

After severe storms swept northern Illinois Thursday, the region faces increased fire risk and wind advisories Friday.

Thunderstorms downed trees and power lines around McHenry County Thursday evening.

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for most of northern Illinois, the National Weather Service reports.

Strong winds, dry conditions and warm temperatures are expected through Friday, leading to warnings about potential fire spreads.

The National Weather Service is monitoring the potential for severe weather across northern Illinois Thursday that could bring with it destructive hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Corn and soybeans are planted at the same time on the Henert farm.

Strong southerly winds up to 45 mph are expected this afternoon through the evening, capable of downing tree limbs

A tornado watch is in effect for Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Woodford and Whiteside counties until 11 p.m. Sunday; and La Salle, Grundy, Lee, Livingston, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties until 4 a.m. Monday.

Scattered thunderstorms forecasted for Friday evening could bring large hail, damaging winds and perhaps a tornado, the National Weather Service warned.