National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Snow Across the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast; Unsettled Weather in the West

Light to moderate snow will continue into Saturday over the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast. This weekend into next week, a series of atmospheric rivers will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and mountain snow to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Colder temperatures are in store for the weekend from the Great Lakes to East Coast. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • Flash flooding, some significant, was observed across numerous locations in the Chicago Metropolitan Area on Sunday night May 17, especially downtown near the Chicago River.  The Chicago River rose high enough that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which manages the river, was able to reverse the flow to Lake Michigan.
  • The 3.11" ranks as the 5th wettest May calendar day ever in Chicago.
  • While flooding was the significant hazard, two reported brief/weak tornadoes also occurred in NWS Chicago’s Warning Area, one along the LaSalle / Kendall Co. border, second near Grundy / Will Co. border. There was no significant damage.
  • Two of the five wettest days ever recorded during any May in Chicago have happened in the past week!  Last Thursday's 3.53" of rain broke the record for the wettest calendar day ever in May in Chicago.
Summary
Widespread flash flooding across the Chicago metro area Sunday, May 17, 2020.
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.


Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
nws logo