Chicago is bracing for a bout of wet and stormy weather, with the National Weather Service forecasting "a 20 percent chance of showers after 4 pm" today and "a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 am" tonight, as reported by NWS. Temperatures are expected to flirt with mid-50s during the day, taking a dip into the 40s overnight. The cloudy skies and rain showers are not the only trouble, the NWS warns of "Limited Thunderstorm Risk" along with potential hail in the most robust storms across the Illinois region, with meteorologists eyeing thunderstorm threats that could intensify by Thursday.
Another unseasonably mild day is in store for most, though much cooler temperatures are expected closer to Lake Michigan. Showers and storms are expected late this PM into Thursday before drier weather returns into the weekend. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/qgToLBBaB1
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) March 13, 2024
In a statement obtained by NWS for the Hazardous Weather Outlook, scattered thunderstorms "could be severe with hail to the size of quarters and wind gusts to 60 mph," although the possibility for these conditions is primarily slated for Thursday morning, it is suggested that the current weather systems may reposition this severe weather threat to a later time or farther south depending on how morning developments pan out, the sporadic nature of the storms has Chicagoans keeping an eye on the skies, especially as hazardous conditions for small craft on Lake Michigan are anticipated into the early part of next week.
Meanwhile, the city experienced "another unseasonably mild day" today with a notable contrast near Lake Michigan where cooler temperatures prevailed, according to a social media post from the official NWS Chicago account. While the week may conclude with sunnier skies as forecasted "partly sunny" conditions for Friday, a dip in temperatures is predicted for the weekend moving into the following week with a possible "chance of snow showers" come Sunday night.
The tumultuous weather won't last indefinitely, according to the detailed forecast which projects a gradual clearing with "partly sunny" skies and highs creeping back toward the mid-40s by Tuesday, fleetingly, the Chicago region could catch a break from this erratic weather pattern as we inch closer toward spring, with brief spurts of sunshine poised to alleviate the torrential rains and gusty conditions that currently besiege the Windy City. Nevertheless, residents should remain vigilant and prepared for fast-changing conditions that could include severe thunderstorms and the potential for localized flooding.
