CHICAGO | An active Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chicago and Cook County. CGN News is publishing this alert because official National Weather Service alert data includes one or more CGN coverage areas: Cook County, Illinois.
What is active now
The primary active alert is Severe Thunderstorm Warning with NWS severity listed as Severe, urgency listed as Immediate and certainty listed as Observed.
The alert became effective 24 June 2026 at 7:43 PM EDT. The current listed expiration or ending time is 24 June 2026 at 8:15 PM EDT. Readers should rely on the latest county-specific National Weather Service alert before making safety decisions.
Current official alerts
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: NWS lists the affected area as Cook, IL; DuPage, IL. Current listed expiration or ending time: 24 June 2026 at 8:15 PM EDT.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: NWS lists the affected area as Cook, IL; DuPage, IL; Kankakee, IL; Will, IL. Current listed expiration or ending time: 24 June 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT.
Flood Advisory: NWS lists the affected area as Cook, IL; Kane, IL. Current listed expiration or ending time: 24 June 2026 at 10:30 PM EDT.
Coverage area
This CGN alert covers Cook County, Illinois. Nearby communities may experience different conditions, and warnings can change quickly.
Safety
Move indoors when thunder is heard or when warnings are issued. Damaging wind and large hail can break windows, damage roofs, bring down trees and power lines, and make travel dangerous.
Official instruction
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. Prepare immediately for damaging winds and deadly cloud to ground lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from windows.
This alert should be updated if the National Weather Service issues, cancels, extends or replaces the active alert. Do not rely on this article alone for emergency decisions. Keep wireless emergency alerts enabled and monitor official NWS, NOAA, local emergency management and trusted local broadcast sources.
Additional Reporting By: National Weather Service; NOAA; National Weather Service Chicago