As Chicagoans break out their spring jackets to bask in the warm breeze of the season's first day, the National Weather Service cautions that sporadic showers and thunderstorms are on the horizon, starting tonight. "Happy first day of May! It will be warm and breezy today with highs in the 70s." But the agency warns that thunderstorms could roll in overnight, leading up to what could be a wet end to the workweek, according to the NWS Chicago.

Happy first day of May! It will be warm and breezy today with highs in the 70s. Periodic shower and storm chances will continue late tonight through the end of the workweek, with the best potential being late Thursday into Friday. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/hsVXLcTc1j

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 1, 2024

The calm of today's sunny skies, boasting a comfortable high of 74 degrees, is set to give way to increasing volatility. As detailed by the National Weather Service, starting tonight with a 30 percent chance of showers creeping in after 4 am, the potential for precipitation ramps up through the week, hitting a 60 percent chance of rain and possible thunderstorms by Friday daytime.

The Hazardous Weather Outlook adds another layer to the weather tapestry with a warning of "Limited Severe Thunderstorm Risk" west of Interstate 39 on Thursday. Though Chicago proper may dodge the brunt of these storms, the potential for "locally heavy rainfall Thursday night" cannot be disregarded, as it could pose flooding issues in some locales. As for the lakefront, boaters are advised of "hazardous conditions for small craft" into next week.

The outlook notes minor river flooding is expected to persist and cautions Chicagoans to also keep an umbrella at hand Monday and Tuesday, with continued chances for showers in the forecast. Balancing the scales, the mercury is anticipated to rise come next Tuesday, reaching near a breezy high of 77, as per the National Weather Service, hinting that warmer days indeed lie ahead for the Windy City even as the thunder rumbles.