Chicago residents face a renewed threat of severe weather this week as the city continues recovery efforts from last week’s storms. The National Weather Service reports that “strong to severe” storms are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. This follows a period where thousands of residents lost power and city crews addressed damage to nearly 10,000 trees and 700 traffic signals.
What is the weather forecast for Chicago?
After a dry Monday with temperatures in the mid-70s, the National Weather Service anticipates that thunderstorm chances will return on Tuesday and Wednesday. While Tuesday could bring some severe weather, Wednesday carries a higher threat of damaging storms and significant rainfall. Conditions are expected to clear after Thursday morning, though some lingering showers may persist early that day.
How does the current recovery compare to last week’s damage?
The city’s infrastructure remains in a fragile state following last Wednesday’s storms, which featured wind gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour. According to ComEd, the number of customers without power has dropped from over 45,000 on Friday to just under 11,000 as of Sunday afternoon. Department of Streets and Sanitation commissioner Cole Stallard noted that his department had never handled such widespread damage, which included 10,000 reported tree-related safety concerns and 700 damaged traffic signals.
What happens next for the city?
The upcoming midweek storms could complicate ongoing cleanup operations that have continued through the weekend. Because city crews have been working to clear debris since the initial wind event, additional significant rainfall or wind could create new obstacles for those still repairing damaged infrastructure. Residents should monitor the latest forecasts, as the National Weather Service indicates that the potential for damaging storms on Wednesday could mirror the conditions that previously caused widespread power outages and city-wide debris accumulation.
