Chicago weather: Potentially strong storms in forecast; Severe Thunderstorm Watch for area | Radar

Tornado sirens in DuPage County sounded in error Friday morning
Friday, August 21, 2026
CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is potential for severe storms to develop in the Chicago area Friday.

There is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois and Lake and Newton counties in Indiana until 10 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for in effect for Chicago area


The Storm Prediction Center has most of the Chicago area under Level 2 risk for severe weather.



ABC7 Chicago Accuweather meteorologist Jaisol Martinez said the storms will not likely be widespread, but any storms that do develop could be on the stronger side with damaging winds and hail.



ABC7 Chicago Accuweather meteorologist Larry Mowry said a brief tornado is possible through the afternoon and into the evening.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Friday, tornado sirens in Wheaton and some other DuPage County areas sounded in error, officials said.

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