Chicago's recent spate of record-breaking warm weather is going out with a roar. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Chicago, surrounding Illinois counties and parts of Wisconsin and Iowa. A system of thunderstorms moving northeast could be accompanied by gusts of wind of up to 75 miles per hour, isolated hail and possible tornadoes. The tornado watch will remain in effect until 8pm this evening.
According to current projections, the thunderstorms should hit Chicago sometime between 5 and 8pm. It's a fast-moving system, but it's reminiscent of the conditions surrounding a storm that hit the city back in August, during which a confirmed tornado touched down in Rogers Park and high winds downed tree branches and power lines throughout Chicago.
The National Weather Service advises residents to head indoors if they hear thunder. If the tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning (which means that a likely tornado has been sighted), Chicagoans should plan on heading to an interior room of their home and stay away from windows if possible.
Strong winds could continue through the evening to 10pm, which means that the last of Chicago's fall foliage will probably be on the ground by the end of the night. Make sure you secure any loose items outdoors and keep an eye on the National Weather Service's Twitter account for further updates. Stay safe, Chicago!