Tornado season is underway in Chicago. Here's what to expect and when

Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune on May 12, 2026

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CHICAGO — The reemergence of thunderstorms and warming temperatures in the forecast are a reminder that tornado season is here in Chicagoland.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected in the area between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service forecast. There is a chance for lightning and wind gusts to reach up to 40 miles per hour.

There is a “very low” chance of the thunderstorms being “severe,” a categorization that would open up the possibility of tornadoes, according to NWS meteorologist Rafal Ogorek.

Additional storms are expected over the weekend; however, Ogorek says it’s too soon to tell any impact on the Chicago area.

Thunderstorms and tornadoes, as a byproduct, are more common this time of year. The atmospheric instability from warming temperatures is a key ingredient for both, as when a parcel of air is warmer than the environmental air and rises, it can be fuel for the storms.

The warmer the temperatures are, the greater the atmospheric instability and the greater likelihood of storms being severe, according to Ogorek.

“Odds are we will probably have more tornadoes occur in the coming weeks,” Ogorek said.

Here’s what to know about tornado season in Illinois and how to stay safe.

When is tornado season in Illinois?

Tornado season in Chicago officially runs from April 1 through June 30, according to NWS. Around 80% of tornadoes happen during that time period, primarily in the afternoons and evenings.

How many tornadoes are ‘normal’ for Chicago?

Two of the last three years have been record-breaking tornado seasons in Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana, according to NWS data.

In 2023, there were 58 tornadoes in the NWS Chicago office’s coverage area, which encompasses 23 counties in Indiana and Illinois. There were three EF2 tornadoes with wind speeds between 111 and 135 miles per hour.

Of those tornadoes, six happened in Cook County.

Tornadoes are recorded on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with EF5 storms being the most deadly with wind speeds over 200 miles per hour.

The next year, 2024, currently holds the record for the most tornadoes in this NWS coverage area, according to Ogorek. A total of 63 tornadoes touched down, 17 of which happened in Cook County.

Just one tornado was categorized as EF2, and 17 were EF1 storms.

A total of 25 tornadoes occurred in 2025, according to NWS data. There were no EF2 storms in 2025 and six EF1 tornadoes. From 2023 to the end of 2025, around 57% of all tornadoes have been considered EF0 storms, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

How bad will 2026 be for tornadoes?

Unlike hurricanes or other storms, there is no good way to predict or forecast tornadoes, according to Ogorek. The National Weather Service does not forecast tornado seasons in that way.

There have been 26 tornadoes so far in 2026, which all happened in March and April. June is expected to be the most active month for tornadoes.

How do people stay safe during a tornado?

At the start of another tornado season, Chicagoans should have a reliable way to monitor the weather and get updates, should there be tornadoes or other severe weather. The Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio provide emergency alerts.

The National Weather Service and U.S. Department of Homeland Security advise individuals to make a plan for where to seek shelter in a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building in case of a storm. Get to this safe space during a tornado warning.

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