A deadly severe weather outbreak spawned at least one tornado in 22 states from May 15 - 21. Among the hardest hit states were Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Summer is Chicago's wettest season and a time when severe storms and tornadoes are most common. There are two reasons why 2025 may be worse than normal.

CHICAGO - Storms may turn severe in southern parts of Chicagoland this afternoon, with a few brief tornadoes possible. An approaching low-pressure system is triggering scattered showers and storms across the Chicago area this afternoon, with the strongest activity expected in the far southern sections of the region.

More severe storms were expected to roll across the central U.S. this week following the weather-related deaths of more than two dozen people and a devastating Kentucky tornado.

The 2025 tornado season in the United States is the most active in over a decade, with more preliminary tornado reports by May 20 than in any year since 2011.

Following Tribune reporting last week that the team is pivoting its focus back to Arlington Heights and away from the city’s lakefront, Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that “there’s a long way to go still” — but hinted that he won’t be an active player in this next round of talks with state lawmakers.

Downed trees were scattered across roads and thousands were without power after a line of destructive storms hit the city.