May 28, 2026

An upper-level trough is moving southeast from the Great Lakes toward the Ohio Valley today, bringing showers and thunderstorms across parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The strongest activity is pushing east and south out of the region. Ohio is on the edge of the area where scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, with wind gusts up to 50 to 65 mph being the primary hazard.

The Weather Prediction Center flagged a slight risk of excessive rainfall across portions of the upper Ohio Valley through this morning. Heavy to excessive rainfall from overnight storms may have already deposited locally significant totals in parts of southern Ohio and Indiana.

Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are on the quieter side of this pattern today. Expect partly cloudy skies and comfortable late-May temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. The 2026 Recreational Beach Forecast Season begins this week along Lake Michigan — a sign that summer operations are ramping up across the region.

No active disaster declarations, wildfire incidents, or major infrastructure disruptions in the Great Lakes states. Power grids are operating normally.

The Lower Great Lakes region has been a hotspot for severe weather in 2026. The National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago office reports 11 individual thunderstorm events with severe weather in their forecast area from January through mid-April alone — nearly three times the average. This active pattern has included an EF-3 tornado in the Kankakee River Valley and state-record-large hail exceeding 6 inches in diameter. While today is not expected to be one of those high-end events, the season has been notably active.

No active public health advisories for the Great Lakes region. Air quality is within normal ranges across all six states.

At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has two active Health Advisory notices. The first, issued May 19, concerns an Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. The risk of spread to U.S. households is considered low. The second, updated May 18, monitors an Andes virus (hantavirus) cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. No confirmed U.S. cases have been reported, and the domestic risk remains extremely low. Neither advisory requires household action beyond general awareness.

The Day 4 to 8 outlook from the Storm Prediction Center notes that an upper low will weaken as it moves from Utah into Wyoming this weekend, with isolated strong storms possible over parts of the northern Plains by Saturday and Sunday. Severe potential should be relatively low given weak winds aloft, but the active pattern this spring warrants continued attention.

The Great Lakes region remains in the heart of tornado season through June. The 2026 season has already been well above average for severe weather activity. Households should have a plan for where to shelter during a tornado warning — an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.

While hurricane season officially begins on Monday, June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2026 season outlook on May 21, forecasting a below-normal season: 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. A developing El Niño pattern is expected to suppress Atlantic tropical development. While encouraging, even quiet seasons can produce landfalling storms — preparation matters regardless of the forecast. Though the Great Lakes are inland, tropical remnants can bring flooding rain to the region later in the season.