Midwest Weather Alerts
Tornado Warnings Expand to Chicago Area, Wisconsin Faces Severe Storms and Extreme Heat
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Key Points
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In Illinois, the tornado warning expanded to Cook and DuPage counties with a defined storm path affecting numerous suburbs, including Orland Park, Romeoville, Lockport, Homer Glen, Lemont, Joliet, Mokena, Ingalls Park and Frankfort in Cook County, and Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Oak Brook, Westmont, Lisle and Villa Park in DuPage County (with Burr Ridge, Lemont and Willow Springs also listed as in the path).
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The Chicago area faced a severe weather threat with winds up to 70 mph and hail, including ping pong ball-sized hail in some spots, and a period of extreme heat indices reaching 100–115 degrees before a cold front passes later in the day.
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Flight delays were reported at O’Hare and Midway due to the storms, with delays averaging about 2 hours as thunderstorms moved through the region.
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A separate tornado warning was issued for Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha counties, with the storm located near Watertown and Hustisford and moving southeast at about 35 mph; expected to move into Watertown around 10:50 a.m. and Delafield by 11:10 a.m.
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In Wisconsin, an extreme heat warning covered a broad swath of counties in the southwest part of the state, including Sauk, Columbia, Iowa, Dane, Lafayette, Green, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Grant, Juneau, Adams and Rock counties, as of 9:45 a.m.
An "extremely dangerous" tornado struck parts of Appleton and Menasha, Wisconsin on Monday, knocking out power to more than 19,000 people in Outagamie County, according to CNN. The National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous tornado warning — the second-highest level of alert — as the storm moved through northeast Wisconsin.
The severe weather system quickly expanded south. Tornado warnings were issued for Cook and DuPage counties in Illinois, putting Chicago suburbs directly in the storm's path. Winds up to 70 mph and ping pong ball-sized hail were forecast for the region.
Tornado Tears Through Appleton and Menasha, Wisconsin
The National Weather Service confirmed an "extremely dangerous" tornado hit Appleton and Menasha, triggering its second-highest warning level, according to CNN. Over 19,000 customers lost power in Outagamie County alone. Rain poured through downtown Appleton as the warning was issued, Post Crescent reported.
Separate tornado warnings were also issued for Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha counties. That storm was located near Watertown and Hustisford, moving southeast at about 35 mph. Forecasters expected it to reach Watertown around 10:50 a.m. and Delafield by 11:10 a.m. Additional warnings covered Forest, Langlade and Oconto counties in the state's north.
Chicago Suburbs Put on Alert as Storms Move South
The tornado warning expanded into Illinois, covering Cook and DuPage counties. The storm path swept through dozens of suburbs, including Orland Park, Romeoville, Lockport, Homer Glen, Lemont and Joliet in Cook County. DuPage County towns in the path included Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Glen Ellyn and Oak Brook.
Residents were urged to take shelter immediately in basements or interior rooms, away from windows. Anyone outdoors or in a vehicle was told to find a substantial building. A tornado warning means a tornado is imminent or already on the ground — unlike a watch, which means conditions are only favorable for one to form.
Dangerous Heat Adds to Chicago's Storm Threat
On top of the tornado risk, the Chicago area faced a brutal heat threat. Humidity and warm temperatures pushed heat indices to between 100 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, especially near the I-39 corridor. A cold front was expected to clear the region later in the day and bring relief.
Flight delays hit both O'Hare and Midway airports, averaging about two hours as thunderstorms moved through. In Wisconsin, an extreme heat warning covered a wide stretch of southwest counties, including Dane, Sauk, La Crosse, Rock and more than a dozen others, as of 9:45 a.m.
What Officials Are Telling Residents to Do Now
Emergency officials gave clear guidance: go inside immediately when a tornado warning is issued. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows. Do not wait to see the storm before taking shelter.
The storm system was still developing and moving across multiple states as of Monday morning. Forecasters were tracking several storm paths at once. Residents were advised to monitor local alerts closely, as conditions were expected to change throughout the day, according to CNN.
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