CHICAGO — A powerful wave of storms swept across the Chicago area on Sunday afternoon, delivering heavy rain, dangerous winds, and unusually large hail — including a confirmed 2.25-inch hailstorm in Batavia that shredded plants and screens.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported wind gusts reaching 80 mph and hailstones larger than two inches in diameter in parts of Batavia, marking one of the most intense localized storm events of the season.
“Never seen hail like this. All veges and perennials are destroyed. Screens are shredded,” one Batavia resident wrote in a tweet, accompanied by photos of golf ball-sized hail littering the ground.
Storm Timeline and Impact
According to the NWS, the storm system moved out of the Chicago metro area by 5:30 p.m. but not before causing widespread disruption. The storm’s initial impact was felt west of the city before pushing into Cook County, where its strength had diminished.
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In Batavia, meteorologist David King noted that the storm cell produced “severe standard” hail and winds.
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As it moved through the South Side of Chicago, winds gusted up to 40 mph, but no hail was recorded in Cook County.
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In the Auburn Gresham and Roseland neighborhoods, over 1,200 homes lost power, contributing to a total of about 3,400 ComEd customers affected in the broader region.
Air Travel Disruptions
The weather also impacted air travel in and out of Chicago:
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O’Hare Airport experienced two dozen flight cancellations, though less than a tenth of an inch of rain was recorded there.
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At Midway Airport, one flight was canceled, and the storm brought gusts up to 30 mph with half an inch of rain.
Forecast: More Storms Before a Break
While skies cleared Sunday evening, meteorologists say the Chicago area isn’t out of the woods just yet:
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More showers and thunderstorms are expected Monday, especially north of I-80.
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Tuesday is forecast to be dry, followed by a warmer midweek stretch with highs reaching 86 degrees by Wednesday.
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There’s another chance of rain by Thursday, with mild cooling to follow.
Community Cautions and Preparedness
Residents are advised to:
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Inspect for hail damage, particularly in the western suburbs like Batavia.
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Monitor power outages via ComEd’s outage map.
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Stay updated with the National Weather Service (NWS) for weather alerts and follow city advisories for air and travel disruptions.
Have you experienced hail damage or power outages from Sunday’s storm? Share your story in the comments below or connect with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
