Watch CBS News

Chicago Area Dodges Damaging Storms That Slammed Southern Wisconsin

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A tornado watch has been lifted for the Chicago area, but storms were still a possibility on Tuesday as an unstable warm air mass moves through the region.

Powerful storms largely missed the Chicago area overnight, slamming southern Wisconsin instead. The National Weather Service said a tornado likely hit Verona, Wisconsin, about nine miles southwest of Madison. The storm damaged an elementary school and several homes in Verona. About 15 homes in Madison also were damaged by the storms. More than 4,800 homes and businesses lost power due to heavy winds and lightning.

CBS 2 Meteorologist Ed Curran reports a tornado watch had been issued for several counties in northern Illinois early Tuesday, but it was later cancelled several hours earlier than scheduled as the system fell apart in Illinois, and the heaviest storms moved into Wisconsin.

Some heavy rainfall did move through McHenry and Lake counties around dawn on Tuesday.

Temperatures in Chicago should top out at about 89 degrees, with a heat index around 95.

More showers from another storm system moving through Iowa and western Illinois could hit the Chicago area later in the day.

Thunderstorms also are a possibility overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, when there's another chance for severe weather in the Chicago area, and temperatures could reach 90 degrees.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.