2026 Chicago Air & Water Show practice begins as weather threat lingers over weekend festivities – CBS News

2026 Chicago Air & Water Show practice begins as weather threat lingers over weekend festivities  CBS News

High-flying pilots began practicing for the 2026 Chicago Air & Water Show Thursday in Gary, Indiana, but a continued weather threat hangs over the weekend.Both military and civilian flight teams and performers convened in Northwest Indiana to start their practice, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. But Gary is still cleaning up major storm damage and trying to restore power after a line of severe thunderstorms and a derecho pummeled it and surrounding communities Tuesday. The weather system spawned five confirmed tornadoes so far.NIPSCO, the electric and gas company serving Northwest Indiana, said more than 235,000 people are still without power as of Thursday afternoon, including more than 28,000 customers in Gary.Severe weather threats also remain on the horizon.

Rounds of flooding rain and severe storm return at times on Saturday and Sunday, according to CBS News Chicago First Alert meteorologists, and anyone attending the Air & Water Show will need to stay weather-aware and know where the nearest indoor shelter is. The main Air & Water Show rehearsals will be held Friday.Thunderbirds pilot preparing for Chicago Air & Water Show, rain or shineU.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryce Turner is an F-16 pilot with the Thunderbirds."We are the Air Force's premiere air demonstration squadron," he said.He'll be flying in his first Chicago