Tornadoes Threaten Chicago Region; Warnings Cover Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley
Image: El-Balad

Tornadoes Threaten Chicago Region; Warnings Cover Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley

11 March, 2026.USA.1 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Tornadoes threaten the Chicago region
  • Watches and warnings spread across the region Tuesday evening
  • Tornado warnings cover Kankakee, Bourbonnais and Bradley

Tornado-capable storm

The National Weather Service located "a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado" near Pontiac and warned it was "moving east at 30 mph," and advised people in "Pontiac, Odell, and Cullom to seek shelter immediately."

Image from El-Balad
El-BaladEl-Balad

This storm formed part of a broader severe thunderstorm watch that spanned the Chicago region and northwest Indiana.

Kankakee warnings and hail

Localised severe thunderstorm warnings focused on Kankakee County communities, with explicit mention of very large hail.

The report said "In Kankakee County, a severe thunderstorm warning covering Kankakee, Bourbonnais, and Bradley ran until 7 p. m. CDT with apple-sized hail possible," reflecting the acute risk to those towns during the warning period.

Image from El-Balad
El-BaladEl-Balad

Hail reports and risk

The bulletin noted, "Cook County, including Chicago, and DuPage County were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6: 45 p. m. CDT. Ping-pong ball-sized hail was possible, said meteorologist Mike Caplan," and that the NWS "received reports of large hail—ranging from golf balls to tennis balls—in Woodridge, Downers Grove, Darien, and Westmont."

Livingston, Will, commute

Warnings also extended west and south into Livingston, Will and southwest Cook counties where officials repeatedly upgraded hail expectations during evening commute times.

The coverage noted "Other warnings extended into Livingston County" with alerts "noting the storm was capable of baseball-sized hail," and that "In northern Will County, southwest Cook County, and a small portion of southern DuPage County, a severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until 6 p. m. CDT, with large hail described as the primary hazard."

Image from El-Balad
El-BaladEl-Balad

Airports and sheltering

The article reported "O’Hare International Airport was under a ground stop until 7: 15 p. m. CDT due to thunderstorms. Midway International Airport was under a ground stop until 6: 30 p. m. CDT due to severe weather in the area," and that "The National Weather Service messages repeatedly emphasized sheltering, especially where rotation was indicated and where a tornado was described as on the ground."

Image from El-Balad
El-BaladEl-Balad

More on USA

US Air Force KC-135 crashes in western Iraq, six airmen killed

US Air Force KC-135 crashes in western Iraq, six airmen killed

29 sources compared

Judge James Boasberg Blocks DOJ Criminal Probe of Federal Reserve, Deems It Trump Pressure Campaign

Judge James Boasberg Blocks DOJ Criminal Probe of Federal Reserve, Deems It Trump Pressure Campaign

15 sources compared

Pentagon Deploys Marines and USS Tripoli to Middle East After Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz

Pentagon Deploys Marines and USS Tripoli to Middle East After Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz

22 sources compared

FBI Warns of Iranian Drone Plot Based on Unverified Tip; California Says No Credible Threat

FBI Warns of Iranian Drone Plot Based on Unverified Tip; California Says No Credible Threat

10 sources compared