Chicago Weather

‘Dangerous' storms prompt tornado warning for parts of Cook County as heavy rain continues

The tornado warning issued for parts of Southern Cook County expired at 12:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service Tuesday afternoon briefly issued a tornado warning for Southern Cook County, saying a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Matteson and moving east at 10 miles per hour.

"Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur," a warning from the NWS said, adding that tree damage was also likely.

The "dangerous" storm was expected to be near Park Forest, Homewood, Matteson, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Richton Park, Flossmoor and Olympia Fields, the NWS said.

"You will NOT see rotation as it is raining very heavily in the warned area," the NWS said.

The warning, which was issued at 12:22 p.m., came as "very heavy rain" was moving through southern Cook County, the NWS said, including parts of Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Dolton, Oak Lawn, and the south side of Chicago.

"Flooding of low lying areas including on the sides of roads will occur," the NWS said. "This includes portions of I-294, 57, 80, and 90."

According to the NWS, the tornado warning expired at 12:45 p.m.

Following the expiration of the warning, a flash flood warning was issued for southeastern Cook and Will Counties in Illinois until 3:45 p.m., according to the NWS. High standing water was reported across expressways, including the parts of the Kennedy near the Jane Byrne Interchange.

The NWS also noted that Matteson, where the thunderstorm was originally located, received nearly 2.5 inches of rain in 30 minutes.

The rain and tornado warning comes as widespread rain and some storms across the Chicago area that started early Tuesday morning was expected to continue through the early afternoon.

Later Tuesday afternoon, showers were expected to taper, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, but spotty areas of rain could remain and last overnight and into the early Wednesday morning hours. More lake effect showers were possible in Northwest Indiana later Wednesday morning, Roman said.

Temperatures Tuesday will remain in the mid 60s to low 70s, Roman said, noting that the recent late summer heat -- with temperatures in the 80s and 90s -- may be over for good.

"Tonight will drop into the upper 40s an 50s," Roman said.

Temperatures were expected to stay in the mid 70s through the rest of the week, Roman added.

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