Chicago Braces for Weekend Weather Woes with Rain, Snow Mix and Wind Gusts Up to 30 MPH

Chicago faces a bout of inclement weather as forecasted by the National Weather Service, with a certainty of rain today and a tempestuous mix of rain and snow predicted for the weekend. According to the detailed forecast, the city will contend with rain and patchy fog, winds reaching 15 mph, and new precipitation amounts totaling up to three-quarters of an inch.

Tonight's forecast sees conditions worsening with rain continuing before midnight, breezy north winds gusting as high as 30 mph, and a likelihood of precipitation lingering around 90%. Noting Saturday's forecast, the National Weather Service Chicago posted that there is "a chance (30%) for scattered rain/snow showers Saturday afternoon/evening." This intermittent weather is anticipated to give way to warmer temperatures early next week.

The hazardous potential of today's weather also extends to localized thunderstorms and flooding risks. The Hazardous Weather Outlook states that there's a "Limited Thunderstorm Risk south of I-80" and a "Limited Flooding Risk near and southeast of I-55." Drivers are advised to remain vigilant, as the combination of rain and elevated soil moisture is projected to cause runoff that could "lead to ponding or minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas."

Mariners be warned, that conditions on Lake Michigan are not looking favorable either. With expectations set for hazardous conditions for small craft and a fog risk in effect, the lake is set to be a no-go zone for the inexperienced. The weather service's outlook extends these advisories through to Sunday. However, as Chicagoans peer beyond the storm clouds, sunnier days are on the horizon, with the mercury rising to forecast highs in the low 60s by next Tuesday and Wednesday.