The Chicago area gets another glimpse of spring on Monday, but storms with the possibility of tornadoes and large hail may follow Tuesday.

Temperatures Monday afternoon will reach the low 70s, according to Kevin Doom, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Expect gusts of wind 20 to 25 miles per hour that will cool the air a bit, Doom said, but added that Monday seems “pretty nice” overall.

Doom said there’s a small chance some areas of the metro — mainly Northwest Indiana — may see showers pop up Monday, but Chicago will likely remain storm-free.

Tuesday is a different story. Doom said those in the metro area should be prepared for severe weather. Tornadoes are possible in the afternoon and evening, and large hail and strong winds may come in the evening and stay overnight.

“Should a strong or severe storm be headed into your area, you kind of know the drill,” Doom said. “Head inside, and then, if there’s a tornado threat, obviously take shelter if you need to.”

The storms will be scattered, according to Doom, mostly near a warm front that is expected to cover the southern portion of the area. The threat of tornadoes lies mainly along I-80 — give or take some tens of miles — near where the warm front will set up, Doom said.

On Tuesday, Chicago will be just north of the warm front, Doom said, so temperatures in the city will drop back into the 50s. The southern suburbs may see highs in the 70s, reaching toward 80 degrees.

Doom said it’s important to be aware of Tuesday’s weather because even though storms will scattered, they’ll certainly be in the area, and windstorms could occur in late evening and overnight as Chicago’s cold front pushes through.

“Keep a loose eye on the things,” Doom said. “Maybe turn the news on every once in a while.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/09/chicago-weather-forecast-tornadoes-hail/