As Tropical Storm Helene approaches the Midwest, the Chicago area can expect a rather gloomy weekend, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to linger throughout.
According to the National Weather Service, a wind advisory is in effect for Kankakee County in Illinois and Jasper and Newton Counties in Indiana from 1 p.m. Friday through midnight. The strong winds could result in hazardous travel, tree damage, and power outages.
“The strongest wind gusts will come Friday evening, with parts to the south seeing the strongest winds,” the NWS said. “In the Chicago area, winds could be between 35 and 45 miles per hour.”
As Helene moves northward, it will bring with it large waves that could pose a danger to people at the lakeshore. The NWS warns of “dangerous lakeshore conditions” with waves between seven and 10 feet expected to linger throughout the weekend.
Despite the gloomy forecast, a “renegade” shower is possible on Friday afternoon, with most areas expected to remain cloudy and dry, according to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman.
Saturday will see more rain move in as Helene continues to move, with scattered showers expected late morning and early afternoon in Northeast Illinois. Roman noted a slight chance of showers is also possible on Sunday.
In Georgia, where the storm made landfall on Thursday, 11 people have died so far as a result of Helene, according to a spokesperson for Governor Brian Kemp.
Helene made landfall in northwestern Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, with winds of up to 140 mph. The storm continued to weaken as it moved inland, with the eye passing near Valdosta, Georgia, where heavy rain and strong winds began falling earlier in the week.
As the storm begins to move northward, the risk of tornadoes will continue overnight and into the morning across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Southern Virginia.
The governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia all declared emergencies in response to the storm.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds will make for a treacherous commute on Friday morning. The NWS warns that wind gusts between 45 and 55 miles per hour could cause hazardous travel, tree damage, and power outages.
