Chicagoans better keep their umbrellas handy and brace for a stormy weekend, as the city is set to face a deluge of potentially severe weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service's latest forecast, today will see showers likely after 4 p.m., with southeast winds picking up to 15 mph and gusts hitting as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is quite high at 60%, with expected rainfall somewhere between a tenth and a quarter of an inch.

The sky isn't clearing up any time soon either, as the cloudy panorama extends into the night with showers and a possible thunderstorm before the early hours, then chances of more thunderstorms after 4 a.m. South winds will accompany the rising temperatures, which could reach around 60 degrees by daybreak.

As reported by another advisory from the National Weather Service, there's a conversely limited risk that the storms rolling in late could bring hail up to quarter size and damaging winds up to 60 mph, mainly west of the Rockford to Pontiac, IL line. The weekend could also bring with it the risk of flooding and repeated rounds of severe thunderstorms, particularly late Saturday and Sunday night.

Boaters should exercise caution or stay ashore, with the National Weather Service predicting hazardous conditions for small craft. The lakefront won't be spared from the tumultuous weather either, embodying a limited risk of severe thunderstorms over the next few days.

Beyond gusty winds and the threat of severe weather, Chicago will experience a brief taste of summer with unseasonable warmth according to a social media post from the National Weather Service Chicago. High temperatures could soar near 80 degrees on Saturday before dipping slightly in the following days. Yet, the chance for showers will persist into Tuesday, with somewhat clearer skies anticipated by midweek.