Conditions are favorable on Wednesday for two rounds of fast-moving severe storms bringing not only heavy rains but the chance of hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes, the National Weather Service said

After 17 tornadoes struck northern Illinois last week, experts say the state is nearing another record-breaking year for tornado activity

Will County communities are bracing for another round of severe thunderstorms on Wednesday even as they are still cleaning the debris from last week’s derecho. 

Forecasters warn northern Illinois could see long-track tornadoes, destructive winds, and flash flooding on Wednesday as a powerful storm system moves in

While weather apps and local news issue alerts and warnings as storms approach, the meaning and severity of these warnings are not always clear.

Illinois communities assess damage after 48 hours of severe storms, that including high winds, flooding and multiple tornadoes.

Locations where trees blocked roads have been cleared in Joliet but cleanup from downed trees and limbs will continue through next week, according to a city spokeswoman.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for several counties in and other parts of northern Illinois Thursday evening.

More severe weather is expected Thursday across northern Illinois, with the entire region placed under a tornado watch Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening.

The Lockport Chamber of Commerce said the decision was made due to the forecast for severe weather and unfavorable conditions on Thursday.

Locations that could be impacted include Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison, LeClaire, Fulton, Prophetstown, Hampton, Port Byron, Erie, Garden Plain, Rapids City, Albany, Princeton, Tampico, Cordova, Lyndon, and Riverdale.

High heat and humidity will continue over the next two days across northern Illinois, with several rounds of severe thunderstorms expected.

Forecasters warn Thursday could bring tornadoes, destructive winds, large hail, and flash flooding to northern Illinois as a dangerous weather pattern takes shape

Waste Management will be changing its pick up times in Will County communities due to temperatures reaching 90 and above this week.

The National Weather Service said warm, dry conditions, combined with southwest winds gusting as high as 25 mph will result in an increased grass and brush fire threat this afternoon

The National Weather Service has issued a blowing dust advisory beginning at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday for most of Illinois along Interstate 80 and south, along with patchy blowing dust west of the Fox River

As tornadoes hit Northern Illinois, millions are turning to livestreaming weather creators instead of traditional forecasts — raising new questions about how people stay safe

Strong to severe storms are expected across northern Illinois on Monday, with the greatest risk for damaging winds and hail arriving late afternoon into the evening

Forecasters warn of an all-hazards severe weather threat on Monday, including tornadoes, hail, and flooding rain

It could take a week or more – depending on weather – for the Fox River to recede to its banks but the crest could come Wednesday for parts of the river. Some parts of the Chain O' Lakes are now at major flood stage.

Much of northern Illinois has been placed under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Friday. A Level 3 severe risk brings strong storms, hail and possible tornadoes to northern Illinois on Friday evening.

The Dixon Police Department is closely monitoring the weather today, preparing for possibly severe storms that could move through the Sauk Valley this afternoon and tonight

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch until 1 a.m. Thursday for most of northern Illinois.

A tornado watch has been issued for several northern Illinois counties, including Kane, DeKalb, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and more.

A level 3 severe risk is now in place, with the strongest storms likely on Tuesday afternoon into the evening

Storms may drop over an inch of rain across northern Illinois overnight, raising rivers and increasing flooding concerns by Friday morning.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage in Sterling during storms that rolled through northern Illinois on April 2. It is the fourth tornado confirmed in connection with storms in Lee, Whiteside, and Ogle counties that evening

The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes – one in Lee County and two in Ogle – caused damage during Thursday night’s storm outbreak across Northern Illinois.

About 1 to 3 inches of rain fell over the area Friday night, with a localized amounts near 4 inches across parts of central Livingston county, the National Weather Service said.

Storm damage assessments have preliminarily confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage in northwestern Lee County on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

A tornado watch issued for much of northern Illinois Thursday afternoon has been extended until 11 p.m. And a severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect until 8 p.m. for some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across northern Illinois on Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes

Winds gusts could reach 60 mph with possibility of half-dollar size hail, the National Weather Service said.

The main window for severe weather is expected between about 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the greatest threat focused near and south of Interstate 80. A gradual warming trend is expected over the weekend, with temperatures rebounding into the 70s by early next week

The storms will be rapidly developing and pushing southeastward across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Across all warned areas, blowing snow will sharply reduce visibility, particularly in open areas, and hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute

A late-season winter storm prompted a blizzard warning and a wave of school cancellations across northern Illinois for Monday, March 16, as forecasters warned of dangerous travel conditions overnight

Forecasters say 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall in the warning area. Combined with northwest wind gusts up to 45 mph, the snow could produce whiteout conditions and extremely dangerous travel overnight and Monday morning

Northern Illinois could see a dramatic weather swing this weekend: rain and 61 degrees Sunday before a powerful cold front brings wind gusts up to 40 mph and the potential for snow by Monday

ComEd reported that more than 33,400 customers were without power by 12:30 p.m. on Friday as northern Illinois is under a high wind warning.

The intensity of Tuesday's tornado in Kankakee County was determined by the National Weather Service.

Kankakee County Emergency Management and the Illinois Emergency Management of Homeland Security have created a self-assessment reporting link for people affected by Tuesday night's storms.

A hailstone reported in Kankakee during Tuesday evening’s severe storms could become the largest hailstone ever recorded in Illinois, according to the National Weather Service

Rain continues Wednesday and very windy conditions return Thursday and Friday across region.

Residents around the Joliet area should look out for large size hail and hail damage and wind speeds gusting up to 60 mph.

Severe storms were moving through La Salle County as of about 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday night, with multiple weather alerts in effect, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Kankakee County, which will impact Kankakee, Bradley, Aroma Park, St. Anne and Hopkins Park, until 7 p.m.

Residents should look out for large size hail and wind speeds gusting up to 75 mph, the National Weather Service said.

A tornado warning has been issued for northeastern Livingston County until 5:30 p.m.

Forecasters say the first round of storms could begin developing as early as 2 to 3 p.m., with the most likely window for severe weather beginning around 4 p.m.