Chicagoans, brace yourselves for a windy and wet week ahead. According to the National Weather Service, the City is going to live up to its name starting today with breezy conditions and a high near 72 degrees. Gusts could ramp up to a formidable 38 mph, so hang onto your hats. Tonight won't offer much respite, with winds barely slowing down and temperatures dipping to a comfy 55 degrees.
The relative peace of sunshine will be short-lived however, come Monday, there's a 30 percent chance of showers stirring up after 3 pm, and the thermometers will hover around the same 72-degree mark. As the evening rolls in, so do the chances of precipitation – with a robust 90 percent chance of showers and even a thunderstorm in the mix. Prepare for a nosedive in the thermometer readings, as lows plummet to near 44 degrees.
If you thought the drama in the skies would have bowed out by Tuesday, think again. A mostly cloudy vista prevails with a noticeable drop in temperatures, moving down to the high 40s, in a stark reminder that spring hasn't fully sprung just yet in Chicago. The clouds part a touch Tuesday night, granting a low around 39 degrees and a temporary lull in the blustery week's proceedings.
Midweek brings scant consolation, with Wednesday offering mainly sunny skies but highs restrained in the mid-40s. The night continues the trend, partly cloudy and resting at a chilly 37 degrees. Thursday sees a reprise of sunshine and consistent temperatures throughout the day, but by nightfall, rain chances muscle back into the forecast.
Indeed, the latter part of the week is shaping up to be a soggy one, according to the National Weather Service. Friday's showers are likely, with daytime highs wavering near the 47-degree mark and night temps dropping to 37. By Saturday, the showers aren't quite ready to bow out as they loom over the city with a persistent chance of rain and a high near 44 degrees.
As the erratic mood of Chicagoland weather plays out this week, residents will need to be ready for a little bit of everything. Keep your umbrellas close, and your coats closer – March in Chicago is anything but predictable.
