Weather

Rainfall Totals for Chicago Area / Flooded Roads, Rivers / More Rain Ahead

A look at the weather forecast for the coming days for the Chicago area.

Heavy rain from recent days has lead to flooding of some rivers and roadways for the Chicago area. And the rain is expected to continue over the next couple days, which could lead to more flooding. Illinois State Police are reminding residents to be safe when traveling through areas that are experiencing flooding.

"Motorists are urged to reduce their speed, drive with caution, and allow for extra time for travel. Excess water on the roadways can cause hazardous conditions," Illinois State Police Trooper Aldo Schumann said in a news release. The Illinois Department of Transportation posts a full list of road closures on its website and motorists are encouraged to check the site before venturing out in the coming days.

Portions of the Chicago area got over three inches of rainfall on Saturday and periods of showers were expected to continue into Sunday evening. A potential for scattered thunderstorms would increase Sunday evening before quickly ending around midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

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"If a severe storm or two were to develop this evening, they would be favored along and east of Interstate 55 and south of Interstate 80," according to the National Weather Service.

Showers and an isolated thunderstorm or two will continue at times overnight through Monday night, according to the National Weather service. Windy conditions will develop across the region Monday afternoon with wind gusts up to 30 to 40 mph. Any precipitation on Tuesday is expected early in the morning with most of the day dry.

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Here is a look at areas that were hardest hit by Saturday's rainfall:

  • Ottawa: 4.5 inches of rain
  • Joliet: 3.2
  • Plainfield: 3.08
  • Channahon: 3.08
  • Oswego: 2.79
  • Aurora: 2.62
  • Evanston: 2.6
  • Oak Park: 2.6
  • Romeoville: 2.59

More rainfall totals can be found on the National Weather Service website.

Flood Watches, Warnings Issued

A flash flood watch has been issued for Will, Cook, DuPage, Kendall and Kane counties through early Monday morning. On Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued the following statement regarding potential flooding:

Periods of moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall are expected late this afternoon and evening. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.50 to 1.50 inches are likely across the area, with potentially locally higher amounts. Given the saturated ground in many places from the rain that has already fallen, runoff from additional heavy rain may result in flash flooding.

In addition, a flood warning has been issued for rivers across the Chicago area. A flood warning is currently in effect for the following rivers:

  • East Branch of the DuPage River in Bolingbrook. The flood warning is expected to continue through Wednesday morning. As of Sunday morning, the river was at 21 feet and flood stage is 19.5 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. The river is expected to continue to rise to near 22 feet by Monday morning.
  • Fox River in Montgomery. The flood warning is expected to continue through Saturday morning. As of Sunday morning, the river was at 13.1 feet and the flood stage is 13 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. The river is expected to continue to rise to near 13.6 feet by early Monday. The river will fall below flood stage early Saturday morning.
  • The DuPage River in Shorewood. The flood warning is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon. As of Sunday morning, the river was at 6.2 feet and flood stage is 6.5 feet. Minor flooding is in the forecast. The river was expected to rise above flood stage by late Sunday afternoon and continue to rise to near 7.5 feet by Monday morning. At 8 feet, flood waters affect low lying residences downstream of Route 52 bridge.
  • The West Branch of the DuPage River near Warrenville. The flood warning is expected to continue Tuesday morning. As of Sunday morning, the river was at 10.6 feet. The flood stage is 11.5 feet. Minor flooding is in forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage by Sunday evening and continue to rise to near 12 feet by Monday morning.
  • The Des Plaines River near Russell, Des Plaines River near Gurnee, Des Plaines River near Des Plaines and Des Plaines River at Riverside
  • The Fox River at Algonquin Tailwater

More information on rivers that have been issued flood warnings visit the National Weather Service website. A flood advisory has also been issued for several rivers through the area.

Police: Use Caution During Flooding

The Illinois State police is reminding motorists to use caution while driving over the coming days and provide the following driving tips:

  • Check road conditions prior to trip. A complete list of road closures can be found on the Illinois
    Department of Transportation website at www.gettingaroundillinois.com or by calling 1-800-452-4368.
  • Avoid driving through water that is over the roadway even if it seems shallow enough to pass through.
  • Be aware of debris on the roadway caused by flooding both during the flood and after water has receded.
  • If your car stalls, do not attempt to push it out; seek higher ground.

Motorists are also reminded to use extreme caution when approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles with their lights activated on the roadways. Authorized emergency vehicles include police, fire, EMS, and other emergency vehicles. It is the law to proceed with due caution, change lanes if possible, and reduce your speed. Move over and slow down. This law also includes motorists sitting on the side of the road with hazard lights flashing, according to Illinois State Police.

Weather Forecast

Here is a more detailed look at the forecast for the week ahead:

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the evening. Lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening shifting to the south after midnight. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

MONDAY: Cloudy. Chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Breezy. Highs in the mid 50s. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Highs in the mid 50s. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s inland...but only in the lower 50s near the lake.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s inland...but only in the lower 50s near the lake.

THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower 60s inland...but only in the 50s to lower 60s near the lake.

More info »


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