Wet Weekend Ahead for Chicago with Rain, Thunderstorms and Gale-Force Winds Forecasted

Chicagoans might need to keep their umbrellas handy as the weekend approaches, with forecasts suggesting a wet few days ahead. According to the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, today's skies over Chicago are expected to be "mostly cloudy," with temperatures reaching a high near 43 degrees, caution won't be needed as no hazardous weather is anticipated at this time, the NWS warns.

However, changes are blowing in with the wind, rain is predicted to start after 3 am tonight, increasing to a certainty by Friday featuring gusts up to 20 mph, and new precipitation could reach between three-quarters and one inch as "Limited Flooding Risk" and a "Limited Thunderstorm Risk" are expected, especially in areas south of I-80 according to a recent NWS Chicago post.

The wet weather isn't planning to let up too quickly, with rain predicted to continue into Friday night before letting up. Saturday might offer Chicagoans a reprieve from rain in the evening, but with "a 40 percent chance of rain" during the day and blustery conditions boasting north northwest gusts as high as 35 mph; come Sunday, the skies are expected to clear, ushering in "Sunny" conditions and a high near 46, this is a marked shift as Monday's forecast suggests a sunny day with a high nearing 56 degrees, the National Weather Service reports.

For those braving the waters, the outlook isn't quite as calm, with "hazardous conditions for small craft are likely" on Friday night and Saturday could hit waters with gale force winds and very hazardous waves, while Sunday also suggests "Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely" with better conditions anticipated heading into the new week, providing some solace for the seafaring folk, as clear skies return and temperatures are expected to rise, NWS alerts.