Windy Halloween Ahead in Chicago Area, Wind Advisory Issued

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind advisory for the Chicago area, warning of gusts near 50 miles-per-hour in some parts. The advisory will go into effect at 10 a.m. and last until 10 p.m., affecting areas including Lake, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Central Cook, Kendall, and Northern Will counties in Illinois, as well as Kenosha County in Wisconsin.

Strong Winds Overnight

Overnight, a "brief period" of strong wind gusts blew across the region, with speeds topping 60 mph in some areas, according to the NWS. In several Chicago-area suburbs, including Rolling Meadows, Park Forest, Waukegan, and Hanover Park, gusts topped 51 degrees.

Windy Conditions Continue Today

The NWS warned that additional strong winds are expected today, with westerly winds of 25-35 mph expected in the afternoon, and gusts near 50 mph along the Wisconsin state line and in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Residents are advised to secure loose objects, such as Halloween decorations, and take care when driving on north-south oriented roadways, as a few power outages could occur.

Halloween Forecast

The wind comes just as trick-or-treating kicks off for Halloween across the Chicago area. NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said, "It’s going to be a windy trick-or-treating evening for us." Halloween afternoon and evening will be chilly, with temperatures expected to drop into the mid-to-low 50s by 4 p.m. "It will feel much colder than what we’ve experienced the past few days, so be sure to bundle up," the NWS said.

Rain on Halloween Morning

Thursday started off with temperatures in the mid-60s and wet conditions, with pockets of steady showers expected to fall between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. South of the Kankakee River Valley, heavier rain was expected, with one final push of rain expected between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. "Maybe a rumble of thunder at that time," Jeanes said.

Forecast for the Weekend

Friday is expected to be a brighter day with lighter wind, with highs in the mid-50s. Temperatures will jump back into the 60s by the weekend, with a stretch of rainy days beginning Sunday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What areas are affected by the wind advisory?
A: The wind advisory affects areas including Lake, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Central Cook, Kendall, and Northern Will counties in Illinois, as well as Kenosha County in Wisconsin.

Q: How strong are the winds expected to be?
A: Gusts near 50 miles-per-hour are expected in some areas.

Q: What should I do to prepare for the wind?
A: Secure loose objects, such as Halloween decorations, and take care when driving on north-south oriented roadways.