Chicago to Bask in Weekend Sunshine with Highs Up to 69 Before Showers Return Monday

Chicagoans can expect a relatively mild and breezy day today with a slight chance of showers in the afternoon, but don't let that get your spirits down—the weekend is shaping up to be warm and dry. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures today could hit a high near 48 degrees, with south winds around 15 mph, and although there's a 20 percent chance of showers post-2 p.m., come tonight, those chances drop off before 7 p.m.

For all looking forward to soaking up some weekend sunshine, Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny, with the mercury climbing up to a pleasant 57 degrees, but that's just the start, Sunday's forecast shines even brighter with similar conditions and a high near 69 degrees, it's not only the warmth that will sweep through the Windy City but also a gusty south wind which could pose an elevated risk for fires and cause a bit of a stir for small craft on Lake Michigan, as reported by the Hazardous Weather Outlook for the region.

While the sun will continue to grace the city, the new week could bring a shift in the weather with the National Weather Service predicting "showers and possibly a thunderstorm" by Monday night, ahead of that, the start of the workweek might tempt fate with a 50% chance of precipitation during the day, this could suggest grabbing an umbrella might not be out of the question.

According to a more succinct post by the NWS Chicago, following a "warm and dry" swing over the weekend, the showers and scattered thunderstorms will indeed "return Monday and Monday night" so while it seems the city will enjoy a reprieve from the winter's chill during the weekend, keep a watchful eye on the sky as we tread into the start of next week for those unwelcome showers could dampen our doorsteps once again, potentially bringing thunder along for the ride.