Chicagoans are in for a rollercoaster of weather this week with sunny skies giving way to scattered storms and potential severe weather conditions, according to local forecasts. The National Weather Service in Chicago has predicted "Mostly sunny, with a high near 70" for Saturday and a "Limited Thunderstorm Risk" that could bring "locally damaging winds" later in the day. The detailed forecast also indicates that scattered showers and thunderstorms could hit the area mainly between 8 pm and midnight.
Following the storms, Sunday should briefly dry out with "Mostly sunny, with a high near 58" and less aggressive winds, but this is expected to quickly change in the upcoming days. Beginning Monday night, there's a 50% chance of showers with thunderstorms possibly rolling in after 4 am. According to the forecast, Tuesday could bring "Showers and possibly a thunderstorm" with a high near 75 and a 90% chance of precipitation, while the following days will carry "Limited Thunderstorm Risk" and sporadic hazardous conditions for small craft on Lake Michigan.
The week's weather uncertainty isn't to be taken lightly. The National Weather Service has underscored a "Limited Severe Thunderstorm Risk" and "Limited Flooding Risk" midweek with the chance of "showers after 1pm" on Wednesday and "Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm" in the night. Residents and visitors should particularly brace themselves for Tuesday when powerful weather could strike through the day.
Boaters and mariners should especially be on alert as "Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely" both on Tuesday and Thursday. With thunderstorms being a consistent theme throughout the week, it is advised to prepare to quickly adjust outdoor plans. On X, NWS Chicago warns that "A broken line of thunderstorms is expected to move across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana late this afternoon into this evening," cautioning that "A few of these storms will be capable of producing strong to locally damaging winds."
Scattered storms with gusty winds late this afternoon and evening will give way to a dry and cooler Sunday. Active weather is in store for the upcoming week, especially with the potential for strong to severe storms on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/726DGEm128
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 4, 2024
All should stay vigilant, keeping an eye on the skies and updated forecasts as Chicago looks ahead to unexpected weather patterns that are set to potentially disrupt the calm but briefly pause for that deceptive moment of sunny skies before the week plunges back into tempestuous conditions.
