Powerful winds wreaked havoc on the Chicago area early Tuesday morning, damaging construction sites and homes and causing multiple accidents as the strong gusts ushered in a blast of cold air.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. across the Chicago area.
The advisory warns of gusts of up to 50 mph, which could make driving difficult and give way to hazardous conditions in some areas.
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By early Tuesday morning, winds had peaked in far northern parts of the Chicago area, including Waukegan, at more than 55 mph. Closer to the city, gusts hovered near 50 mph.
The winds whipped furniture off a high-rise balcony in the 1700 block of South Michigan Avenue, blew down fences in the area of Randolph and Aberdeen, and caused damage across the suburbs.
With the gusts also comes a dramatic change in temperatures, with highs dropping into the mid- to upper-30s, a massive shift from the mid-60s the area saw Monday.
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There is a chance for flurries Tuesday evening as conditions stay windy and colder.
Highs will sit between 25 and 30 degrees Wednesday, where they will likely stay for the remainder of the week.
