Storm system to bring strong winds, heavy rain to Chicago area Monday, Tuesday

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A strong storm system is predicted to bring gusty winds and localized downpours across the Chicago area Monday and Tuesday.

Wind speeds could reach 45 mph Monday morning and afternoon, with the strongest gusts likely east of Interstate 55, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures Monday are expected to climb to 59 to 68 degrees.

“Both today and tomorrow, we have some potential for some fairly gusty winds, with gusts into the 40 mph range,” said meteorologist Mark Ratzer.

Waves of severe rain are expected Monday night into Tuesday afternoon, meteorologists said. The heavy rainfall could lead to minor flooding in low-lying fields and other flood-prone areas.

The Chicago area remains under a severe weather threat Tuesday due to strong, scattered thunderstorms, according to the weather service. Highs range from 51 to 60 degrees.

The thunderstorms could develop as early as 8 a.m. Tuesday and last until around 4 p.m. Rainfall is expected to continue into the evening.

“It looks like our best chance for thunderstorms in the city is Tuesday morning,” Ratzer said.

The exact magnitude and timing is difficult to predict, meteorologists said, but thunderstorms are expected to be strongest east of I-55. Damaging winds could also down tree limbs and fences, and brief tornadoes are possible.

“It’s not a very high probability of tornadoes,” Ratzer said. “They would probably be very isolated and brief. The potential for any one location to see a tornado is fairly low.”

The storm system is predicted to move through the area by Wednesday, with sunny skies and high temperatures in the 40s.

“We’ll be dry on Wednesday, and we’ll probably get some sunshine back here, especially by midday,” Ratzer said.

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