Overview

• Cold front will sweep through Wednesday into Thursday morning, triggering multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the Chicago area.
• The Storm Prediction Center and local forecasters have placed the region under a marginal (level 1 of 5) severe threat for isolated damaging winds.
• Excessive rainfall risk has been raised to level 2 of 4, with some areas potentially receiving more than two inches of rain and facing localized flooding.
• Wednesday highs will fall to the upper 70s and lower 80s as the cooler air mass moves in behind the front.
• A beach hazard statement for Lake Michigan beaches is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon, warning of 5–8 foot waves, strong currents and life-threatening swimming conditions.