Meteorologists Warn Of High Waves On Lake Michigan
High waves on Lake Michigan have prompted a warning for boaters and swimmers, due to potentially deadly currents on the water.
Watch CBS News
High waves on Lake Michigan have prompted a warning for boaters and swimmers, due to potentially deadly currents on the water.
Hot and humid conditions in the Chicago area on Tuesday could spark a severe thunderstorm by the end of the day, before giving way to much milder conditions on Wednesday.
Residents in much of Chicagoland typically ride out a tornado warning for anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, according to data from the National Weather Service.
As of late Tuesday morning, the official temperature in Chicago was only 64 degrees, which is the normal low for mid-July. The average temperature for July 15 is 74 in Chicago, and the normal high is 85, according to the National Weather Service.
Monday's deluge resulted in isolated flooding, but four Chicago area rivers remain near their flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the Chicago area were still without power Wednesday morning, more than a day after two severe storms pummeled the region.
Last night's storms were the equivalent of a boxer throwing a stiff jab followed by a devastating hook.
The NWS confirms two brief EF-1 tornadoes occurred Monday evening, with one near the town of Earlville and the second in Plainfield.
A line of severe thunderstorms hit the Chicago area Monday, causing power outages, flight cancellations and delays and other problems. By late Monday, a second wave of storms was expected.
CBS 2 Meteorologist Ed Curran reports a tornado watch had been issued for several counties in northern Illinois early Tuesday, but it was later cancelled several hours earlier than scheduled as the system fell apart in Illinois, and the heaviest storms moved into Wisconsin.
Though some of the flooding from Monday's thunderstorms has receded, the Des Plaines River was still overflowing its banks on Wednesday, and the North Branch of the Chicago River was near flood stage in some areas, with more rain on the way Wednesday evening.
Heavy rainfall from a series of thunderstorms that moved through the Chicago area on Monday and early Tuesday left several roads impassable, and many basements flooded, especially in the northern suburbs, where the rain was heaviest.
After the storms swept through the area, nearly 9,000 ComEd customers in the west, southwest and south suburbs were left without power, according to ComEd. The majority of outages were reported near Harvey in Blue Island, where more than 6,300 customers were without power Sunday night.
Researchers looked at 60 years worth of climatological data from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, and found tornadoes touch down most often in "transition zones" – areas where a dramatic change in landscape takes place.
Monday night's snowfall dropped 1.4 inches at O'Hare International Airport, pushing the seasonal total to 82 inches, just shy of the 2nd most seasonal snowfall for Chicago – when 82.3 inches fell in the winter of 1977-78.
Here is the latest guidance from the National Weather Service: It will snow tonight.
Snowfall beginning Monday afternoon could snarl the evening commute and drop up to an inch of snow, following a weekend of rollercoaster weather for Chicagoans.
Even from miles above the Earth's surface, it was clear this winter was one of the most severe we've ever experienced, and not just for Chicago.
This winter officially became the 3rd snowiest on record for Chicago on Wednesday, when 3.6 inches fell at O'Hare International Airport, bringing the season's total to 79.1 inches.
This winter moved up another notch on the list of snowiest winters in Chicago overnight, when more than 3 inches fell at O'Hare International Airport, making the total snowfall this winter the third most on record.
Lake Michigan set a new record for ice coverage over the weekend, when ice levels reached 93.29 percent.
Old Man Winter isn't quite done with Chicago yet. More than half a foot of snow could fall in the city Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
Who came up with the word Chiberia?
A warmup is on the way to Chicago, with temperatures likely to reach the 40s for three of the next five days.
Flurries began falling early Wednesday, making streets slick, and covering sidewalks with a light dusting of snow for the morning commute.
Three teens have been charged with robbing a person who came to buy items that had been offered for sale in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
A person of interest has been identified in the shooting at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others, multiple sources told CBS News.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change its name.
The holiday season can be festive and fun, but it also can be difficult to navigate if you are grieving, whether your loss is new or years-old.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a new batch of 68 photos obtained from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. Follow live updates here.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change its name.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a new batch of 68 photos obtained from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. Follow live updates here.
The Chicago City Council met again on Thursday, but has not yet voted on an alternative to Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget plan, with a shutdown looming if no deal is reached by the end of this month.
President Trump's speech Wednesday night looked back on his first year and ahead to the next three. He touted new military bonuses, his tariffs and economic policies in a brief address.
President Trump signed an order to reschedule marijuana to a lower drug classification, one of the most significant changes to drug policy in decades.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
Two pregnant Black women recently faced alarming neglect at hospitals in Indiana and Texas, highlighting racial disparities in maternal care.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed a bill aimed at protecting vaccine access in Illinois.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
The nearly 100-year-old cinema will close briefly after New Year's Day and reopen on Jan. 9 with a showing of Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother."
Known as a popular Hollywood director, Rob Reiner also had a lengthy record of political and civic activism, especially in California.
The holidays can be a particularly challenging time for anyone dealing with grief, be it fresh or years-old. Elle Davis, a grief expert, joined CBS News Chicago to discuss ways to cope with your grief during this season.
Get the latest seven day forecast from our First Alert Weather team.
President Trump’s speech Wednesday night, which sounded similar to a State of the Union speech, focused on the economy and celebrating his efforts to curb immigration.
Operation North Pole is preparing to make this holiday season special for families in the Chicago area.
Clifton is available for adoption at Reach Rescue in Mundelein.
The team said they are not asking for state taxpayer dollars, but are still seeking a commitment to local infrastructure and reasonable property tax certainty.
The Chicago City Council met again on Thursday, but has not yet voted on an alternative to Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget plan, with a shutdown looming if no deal is reached by the end of this month.
Three teens have been charged with robbing a person who came to buy items that had been offered for sale in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, to succeed retiring Timothy Cardinal Dolan as archbishop of New York.
A busted pipe left the Cicero Avenue Green Line station on the city's West Side flooded Thursday morning.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
Homeowner and Army veteran Kaliff Chilembwe's property tax bill has seen an increase of 118%.
Why are Chicago police officers arresting and charging Black gun owners with valid FOID cards and CCLs? An inside source spoke exclusively to CBS News Chicago to offer insights into their possible motivation.
The Bulls shot 56.2% overall and made 14 of 36 3-pointers on the way to a rather convincing win after losing eight of nine.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
The team is on a comeback and a come-up ahead of Saturday's pivotal rematch with the Packers.
The Blackhawks were without third-year center Connor Bedard, who was placed on injured reserve Monday for at least two weeks because of an upper-body injury.
Earlier this month, the team was trying to raise $18,000 to fund their trip to the American Youth Football Championship.
Three teens have been charged with robbing a person who came to buy items that had been offered for sale in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
A person of interest has been identified in the shooting at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others, multiple sources told CBS News.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people with a glass bottle on Tuesday morning in the Loop in downtown Chicago.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please horror villain Slender Man and then fled a group home won't fight the state's attempt to revoke her release privileges.
The Original Rainbow Cone ice cream shop was broken into on Chicago's West Side.