Weather

Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., snowfall rates could approach an inch per hour in some areas, contributing to accumulations of 1 to 4 inches, particularly on grassy and elevated surfaces

The season’s first hint of winter is expected late Wednesday with snowfall expected throughout much of the suburbs.

Thursday presents the best chance to see snowflakes during the morning hours in northern Illinois

A federal lawsuit claims an asthmatic inmate at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill died from the extreme negligence of staff after he was placed in a “dangerously hot cell.”

Will County residents have so far received $2,792,102 in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damages incurred during storms that destruction across much of the county.

Traffic is being rerouted.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning effective from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday indicating possible fire danger for La Salle, Livingston, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, Will and DuPage counties.

The New Life Lutheran Church at 702 W. Lynn Blvd. in Sterling sent its second truck load of supplies Wednesday to help support those impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

The first freezing temperatures of the seasons are expected to roll in Tuesday night and Wednesday morning for a large portion of northern Illinois, the Nation Weather Service reports.

Hurricane Milton barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida

Will County residents who have already applied for disaster relief through FEMA related to damage caused by July storms should expect to receive determination letters starting this week.

Hurricane Milton is hurling tornadoes and rain at the U.S. coast on its steady, potentially catastrophic march toward Florida’s west coast

After Hurricane Helene and with Hurricane Milton on the way, local groups organize aid; officials share best ways to help.

Not even two weeks after Hurricane Helene swamped the Florida coastline, Milton has strengthened rapidly into a Category 5 hurricane on a path toward the state.

Adam Jomant of Lockport is an operations specialist for the Will County 911 System, staff photographer for the Joliet Slammers, freelance photographer, volunteer for the Will County Emergency Management Agency, and avid hiker and storm chaser.

FEMA has sent representatives to Will County to help residents apply for financial assistance to recover from damages caused by the storms of July 13-16. The Disaster Recovery Center will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Residents of western North Carolina are lining up for water and food, hunting for cell signals and slogging buckets from creeks to flush toilets days after Hurricane Helene's remnants deluged the region

Windy conditions are expected to hit northeastern Illinois between 4 p.m. and midnight as remnants of Hurricane Helene affect the midwest

President Biden includes Will County in Major Disaster Declaration from summer storms that included tornadoes

Is the current summer-like September an anomaly? No – but Northern Illinois may see more of them.

July was one of the five wettest ever recorded in Illinois, but August and the first half of September have seen barely any rainfall.

Joliet area residents enjoy the warm days as temperatures hit the high 80s in these last days of summer before fall officially begins Sept. 22.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency is hosting a weekly series of 30-minute “Lunch and Learn” webinars focused on public preparedness throughout September.

People received an erroneous cold weather advisory Tuesday saying subzero windchills were on the way. The National Weather Service says it's "invalid."

On Tuesday, Candy and Corn in Minooka sold out of caramel apples. Dan's Homemade Candies in Joliet also had high demand on its first day of caramel apple season.

Storms dumped rain and put on a light show Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

A severe thunderstorm watch was in place for McHenry, Lake, and other counties bordering Wisconsin until 4 p.m. Tuesday. It was canceled early, though the storm threat is not completely gone, and a warning was later issued for the Harvard area.

Tuesday's temperatures and heat indexes in the McHenry County area are expected to be even warmer than Monday's.

As heat index values climb into the 100s, area schools are announcing several high school sports events set for Tuesday have been postponed.

The Illinois Tollway mobilizes special hot weather patrols whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for drivers stopped along the road

Heat index values between 105 and 115 degrees are expected throughout Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

With the heat index topping more than 105 degrees early this week, follow these tips from the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association on caring for pets during excessive heat.

Hottest air of the summer to bake northern Illinois over the next 3 days, real feel temperatures to reach between 105-115

Did you put away your window air-conditioning unit after thinking summer was over? Better dig it out, dust it off and plug it in. You’re going to need it most of next week.

DeKalb, Ogle and Winnebago counties experienced the strongest straight line winds during the July 15 derecho that swept across northern Illinois, according to analysis of the event conducted by the National Weather Service.

Downed power lines and trees across McHenry County were reported after an early morning thunderstorm Tuesday, officials report.

Do you think summer 2024 was mild? The Pistol Shrimp do – field conditions were more favorable than in past seasons – and weather data support the notion that 2024 hasn't been that hot, at least not by Illinois standards.

The weather service warned of winds and hail in parts of western McHenry County.

Geneva will be providing a special citywide brush collection to help residents remove fallen trees and branches Monday to Friday, July 22 to 26.

Rock and Roll museum has no reopening date. JJC campus closed at least three weeks.

Will County creates self-reporting survey to aid in assessing impact of Monday night storm and tornadoes.

The Kane County Office of Emergency Management is working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to determine if Kane County qualifies for financial assistance due to the impact of the severe storms this week.

High water levels and swift currents have created “conditions significantly hazardous” for boaters on large portions of the Fox River in McHnery, Lake, Kane and Kendall counties and the edge of La Salle County.

Even though Monday’s tornado caused significant damage to his horse farm on Roth Road in Oswego Township, owner Bruce Grider realizes it could have been worse. “During a storm, the first thing I think of are the horses and the animals outside,” he said.

The storm systems that swept across northern Illinois Monday evening spawned at least two tornadoes in the Sauk Valley.

Reports are that Interstate 55 south of Joliet near Channahon has reopened after being shutdown from debris and transformers laying on the roadway following the tornadoes that went through Monday night.

After 3 tornadoes touchdown in Will County, thousands of residents remain without power. Will County Emergency Management Agency is working with ComEd to get service back. Salvation Army, Red Cross working to assist people.

Two transformers fell on a section of Interstate 55 south of Joliet as a result of Monday night's storms. Reopening still depends on state road inspectors giving the OK.

The Joliet Park District on Thursday plans to reopen the front nine holes of the Inwood Golf Course and four of the baseball fields at the Inwood Athletic Complex following this week's storms.

Reports of possible tornado touchdowns from Monday night's storms are being checked throughout the Will County, but as of Tuesday morning, there were no reports of buildings being damaged or destroyed.