Chicago amid increasing tornado threat across Iowa, Illinois as severe storms erupt in Midwest
The FOX Forecast Center said the tornado threat has been raised to a Level 3 out of 5 across southeast Iowa – including the Quad Cities area – and into far western Illinois, where a few tornadoes are expected to develop Friday evening.
Tornado sirens wail in Iowa as severe storms erupt in the Midwest
Spectators at Iowa Speedway in Newton were told to seek shelter as severe weather approached the raceway.
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Severe thunderstorms and even a few reported tornadoes were rolling across the Midwest to southern portions of the Great Lakes region, including Chicago and Milwaukee, Friday evening.
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said the tornado threat has been raised to a Level 3 out of 5 across southeast Iowa – including the Quad Cities area – and into far western Illinois, where a few tornadoes are expected to develop Friday evening. A level 2 threat extends east into Chicago.
Tornado sirens sounded during practice for the weekend's IndyCar races at Iowa Speedway in Newton on Friday afternoon as a Tornado Warning was issued for the area.
Watch:Tornado sirens sound at Iowa Speedway as announcements remind people to seek shelter
Spectators of the INDYCAR race at Iowa Speedway were forced to take shelter during a tornado warning on Friday. A message over the speedway's speakers advises people take shelter.
TORNADO-WARNED STORM SENDS INDYCAR FANS RACING FOR COVER AT IOWA SPEEDWAY
Video from spectators showed ominous skies as an emergency announcement blared over the public address system, warning people to take shelter.
"Iowa Speedway may not provide adequate protection from extremely high winds, lightning, hail, or tornadoes. There is no basement or approved tornado shelter on property," the announcement said. "If no other safe option is available to you, as a last resort, the American Red Cross recommends getting into your vehicle, buckling your seat belt, and keeping your head below the windows."
Severe weather passes by Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA on July 11, 2025.
(John Dmytryszyn / FOX Weather)
A wind gust reached 72 mph in Davenport, Iowa, while another gust was recorded at 85 mph in Cascade, Iowa.
Dubuque, Iowa had gusts reaching 65 mph with multiple reports of trees down there and just across the borders of Illinois and Wisconsin.
A strong gust knocked over a semi truck along Interstate 380 north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Tornado Watches and Severe Thunderstorm Watches already cover part of the area into the evening. In addition to the tornado threat, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph are possible along with large hail.
(FOX Weather)
This comes as the Plains have witnessed an unrelenting week of severe storms. On Thursday, the top wind gust of the day was 83 mph in Garden City, Kansas. A top hail report of 2 inches was recorded in Grand Detour, Illinois, and over 3 inches of rain fell in Rockport, Illinois, where a Flash Flood Warning was issued.
(FOX Weather)
Damaging wind gusts should become the more predominant potential hazard as the storms congeal together into east/southeastward-moving clusters by evening.
On Saturday, the threat shifts into the Great Lakes region with a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk in place, as a smaller dip in the jet stream pushes east, the FOX Forecast Center notes. A cold front at the surface will slowly push east, with the parent low-pressure system sitting across Canada.
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(FOX Weather)
Hot temperatures and high humidity will increase instability into the afternoon ahead of this front, allowing for severe storms to develop. Damaging winds and hail will once again be a threat with these storms into the afternoon and evening on Saturday.
In addition to the severe weather threat, a mounting flash flood risk will evolve as rounds of storms work in tandem with copious atmospheric moisture to produce high rain rates in thunderstorms forming in this very unstable environment.
(FOX Weather)
The greatest risk for flooding is expected in a zone from Iowa and northern Missouri through northern Illinois, where a Level 2 out of 4 flood threat exists.