Chicago's notorious winds are set to quickly assert themselves once more, according to forecasters. Today might show a sunnier disposition with a high near 45 degrees, but don't be fooled; the North wind, reaching 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, will ensure you still feel the chill. Reportedly, the evening will continue on a mostly clear note, as the temperature drops to around 38 with those Southeastern winds casually pacing at 5 to 10 mph before they decide to switch it up, taking a southwestern turn after midnight, as noted by the forecast on weather.gov.
For those planning to enjoy the start of the weekend, Saturday proudly holds up a mostly sunny banner with an impressive high near 57 degrees. However, brace to be swept off your feet—literally—as the southwest wind rises from 10 to 15 mph, possibly to increase up to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon with gusts that could reach up to a startling 30 mph. The National Weather Service in Chicago warns of "hazardous conditions for small craft," stretching out from today into the foreseeable span of the week, suggesting watercraft should take heed or steer clear of the lake's treacherous dance according to the NWS.
The latter part of the weekend sees Mother Nature turning the thermostat back down, with Sunday's forecast spelling out a mostly sunny day but with a high that only ventures near 41 degrees. "A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 am," is expected to usher in a cooler Sunday night, before a somewhat sunny Monday presents itself with a frigid high near 38, weather.gov reports.
A bit cooler today, especially near the lake then above-average temperatures return on Saturday along with gusty west winds before temperatures turn cooler early next week. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/0vZpdaCmi7
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) March 15, 2024
Come midweek, Chi-Town can look forward to no more than a partly sunny Tuesday and a modest high near 49, dipping to a mostly clear night with a low around 32. The brief reprieve from the cold is quickly to be snatched away as Wednesday introduces a high near 45 under sunny skies. Conditions take a slight downward turn again by nightfall with "partly cloudy" being the theme and the low settling around 35 degrees, weather forecasters say. But Chicagoland’s volatile weather isn’t one to stay predictable for long, as a post from NWS Chicago teases a gusty west wind to come before temperatures are to turn cooler early next week. Keep those coats at hand, Chicago.
