Chicago Weather Radar
Chicago Live Weather
Chicago Live Weather Radar
Chicago Hourly Weather Forecast
Chicago 7-Day Weather Forecast
Chicago Weather Overview
Chicago weather radar monitors some of North America's most volatile weather conditions, tracking everything from lake-effect snow to severe summer thunderstorms. The city's humid-continental climate produces hot, humid summers and brutally cold winters, with Lake Michigan creating microclimates and occasionally generating intense snow bands visible on live doppler radar across southeastern suburbs.
Blizzards define Chicago winters. The legendary 1967 Blizzard dumped 23 inches in 29 hours with 53 mph winds, stranding over 800 buses and thousands of cars. The 2011 Groundhog Day Blizzard buried the city under 21.2 inches, cancelling 1,200 flights at O'Hare. Chicago weather radar shows these systems developing over the Plains before intensifying near the Great Lakes. The 2014 polar vortex sent temperatures to -16°F with -50°F wind chills, causing widespread infrastructure failures. Spring and summer bring severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail, and occasional tornadoes when Gulf moisture collides with northern fronts.
Flash flooding strikes when intense storms overwhelm drainage systems, particularly along the Chicago River. The 1995 heat wave remains the city's deadliest weather disaster — over 700 deaths when temperatures exceeded 100°F with oppressive humidity. Temperature extremes span 132 degrees, from 105°F (1934) to -27°F (1985), making real-time Chicago weather radar essential for residents tracking rapidly changing conditions across the metro area.
Chicago Weather Risks & Safety
Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk
Chicago gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.
Extreme Cold & Wind Chill Risk
When Arctic air drops into Chicago, temperatures plunge well below zero and wind chill values become dangerous — frostbite can set in within minutes of exposed skin. On the radar, watch for the approaching cold front and any precipitation behind it that could freeze on contact. Before it hits: insulate your pipes, stock up on heating fuel, and plan to stay indoors. Wind chill advisories in Chicago mean business.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Chicago regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Chicago, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Chicago's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Chicago hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Chicago averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
How to Use Chicago Weather Radar
Check Current Chicago Conditions
View real-time temperature, wind speed, humidity, and precipitation status at the top of the Chicago weather radar page. During winter, pay close attention to wind chill values, which regularly drop below zero during Arctic outbreaks.
View the Live Doppler Radar Map
The animated Chicago radar map shows precipitation movement across the metro area and Lake Michigan. In winter, watch for lake-effect snow bands forming over the lake and moving onshore toward the southeast suburbs. Toggle between precipitation and cloud cover layers.
Check the Hourly Forecast
Review hour-by-hour predictions for the next 24 hours across Chicago. Winter commuters should check morning and evening hours for snow intensity and timing. Summer users should watch for afternoon thunderstorm development when temperatures climb above 85°F.
Plan Ahead with the 7-Day Outlook
The extended forecast shows temperature trends, precipitation chances, and approaching weather systems. When a winter storm or Arctic blast is forecast for Chicago, use this timeline to prepare — stock up on supplies before blizzard conditions arrive.
Who Benefits from Chicago Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Chicago commuters on I-90/94, I-290, and the Kennedy Expressway need advance warning of snow squalls and ice. The radar map shows exactly when lake-effect bands will cross major routes, helping drivers avoid the worst conditions or delay departure until roads are treated.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Runners along the Lakefront Trail and Millennium Park visitors can check radar for approaching thunderstorms or sudden snow showers. Lake Michigan's influence creates microclimates — the radar shows when weather near the lake differs from inland neighborhoods.
Event Planners & Families
Outdoor events at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and Millennium Park need accurate precipitation timing. Summer concerts and Cubs games face afternoon thunderstorm threats; winter events must plan around blizzard warnings that have repeatedly shut down the city.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews across the Chicago metro and O'Hare airport operations depend on accurate snow forecasts. When radar shows heavy lake-effect bands approaching, outdoor work halts and de-icing operations ramp up to keep runways clear during the city's notorious winter weather.