The National Weather Service is warning of winds gusting up to 60 mph, which will cause power outages and bring down trees and power lines, in Lake and McHenry counties amid storms Monday afternoon.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high wind warning just before 1 p.m. Monday for Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, and DeKalb counties.
The warning said southeast winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts of up to 60 mph, were expected.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, the NWS said.
The advisory said widespread power outages are expected and travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Residents are recommended to remain in the lower levels of their home during the windstorm and avoid windows while watching for falling debris and tree limbs. “Use caution if you must drive.”
As of 1 p.m., fire departments throughout the area were busy responding to calls of power lines and poles down. The high wind warning remains in effect until 4 p.m. Monday.
The NWS said the strong wind gusts are on the back edge of rainfall but are not directly associated with thunderstorms.
They are currently spreading across the Interstate 39 corridor in northern Illinois and will continue to progress east across the region, particularly north of Interstate 80, through 3-4 p.m.
A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for the Chicagoland area for thunderstorms that are expected to redevelop ahead of a cold front late Monday afternoon into the evening.
“Some of these may be severe with damaging winds and hail, particularly south of I-80. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding and possible renewed rises on area rivers,” the NWS said.
A flood warning remains in effect for areas along the Fox River in Lake and McHenry counties. The river stage from Johnsburg to St. Charles was 11.7 feet as of Monday morning.