Chicago High Wind Warning Today: 60 MPH Gusts, 30,000+ Power Outages, O'Hare Grounded — Full Friday Forecast
Chicago is getting rocked Friday, March 13, by one of the strongest wind events of the season. The High Wind Warning is active right now through 4:00 PM CT, 60 mph gusts have already toppled a semi-truck in Indiana, grounded flights at O'Hare, and knocked out power for more than 30,000 ComEd customers. The good news: winds ease by late afternoon — but another major storm arrives Sunday.
Chicago Weather Right Now: High Wind Warning Until 4:00 PM CT
Chicago is currently 43.8°F and mostly cloudy. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning in effect until 4:00 PM CT Friday for north central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. West winds are blowing 30 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 55 to 60 mph. Travel is especially difficult for high-profile vehicles. Residents should avoid windows and watch for falling debris and tree limbs.
The strong winds originated from a low pressure system moving toward Lake Michigan from Madison, Wisconsin, with northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on the southern end of the system.
Chicago 5-Day Forecast
| Day | High | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Friday Mar 13 | 44°F | High Wind Warning until 4 PM, gusts 60 mph |
| Saturday Mar 14 | 41°F | Slight chance snow/rain, breezy |
| Sunday Mar 15 | 57°F | Rain turns to severe storms overnight |
| Monday Mar 16 | 26°F | Snow, bitter cold returns |
| Tuesday Mar 17 | 26°F | Cold, lingering snow risk |
O'Hare Flights Grounded, Semis Rolling Over in Indiana
Flights were temporarily grounded at O'Hare Airport Friday morning as the High Wind Warning took full effect across the Chicago metro. Wind gusts peaked at 53 mph at O'Hare and 56 mph at Midway Airport.
In Indiana, a "wind ban" was in effect for the Indiana Toll Road until 6:00 PM for high-profile vehicles including triple-tractor trailers, long doubles, and oversize permit loads from the Illinois state line to the South Bend West Toll Plaza. At least one wind-related crash was reported in LaPorte County where a giant semi-truck rolled onto its side.
ComEd Power Outages: 30,000+ Customers in the Dark
By midday Friday, ComEd was reporting over 30,000 outages largely centered on Chicago's North Side and in the northwest suburbs. ComEd crews restored power to 47,000 customers Friday, and about 23,000 remained without power as of 8:30 AM.
ComEd noted that the emergency crews who worked around the clock to essentially rebuild the grid after an EF3 tornado struck the area Tuesday were already deployed and providing assistance Friday — an extraordinary back-to-back demand on utility infrastructure just days apart.
When Winds Will Die Down Today
Wind gusts will continue through the morning but very slowly subside through the afternoon, National Weather Service meteorologist David King said. People can still expect a windy day at least through the early afternoon, but winds will become lighter overnight.
Sunday: Bigger Storm Incoming — Severe Thunderstorms AND Snow
After Friday's wind event, a strong storm system arrives Sunday. The Chicago area will face threats for both severe thunderstorms and wintry weather. Temperatures Sunday will reach the 50s and low 60s during the day before overnight rain turns to snow as temperatures crash.
The High Wind Warning expires at 4:00 PM CT Friday, with a Wind Advisory for Kenosha County running until 7:00 PM CT. The Chicago area is expected to remain dry Saturday for the city's iconic St. Patrick's Day River Dyeing, which kicks off at 10:00 AM Saturday morning.
