Chicagoans are bracing for a stormy week ahead as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings of potential severe weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds, with a smattering of minor flooding thrown in for good measure. Today's sunny skies are predicted to make a quick exit, giving way to increasing clouds and a low of around 48 degrees tonight, as per the detailed forecast on NWS. Tuesday is set to be tempestuous with "showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 pm" and "showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 pm," suggesting that umbrellas will be as necessary as morning coffee, with gusts that could hit 30 mph.

The situation doesn't improve much as the week progresses, the Hazardous Weather Outlook for the region underscores a "Limited Severe Thunderstorm Risk" and an "Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk" on Wednesday, with winds possibly gusting up to 40 mph or more, while Saturday night could see a "Limited Frost Risk," the forecast seems to swing as unpredictably as the wind it describes. Additionally, localized flooding is a concern, with minor river flooding expected to persist into early next week.

Adding to the anticipated tempest, the NWS via their X account has alerted to "several rounds of storms are possible Tuesday into Wednesday," highlighting the uncertainty around the storms' severity but maintaining a stern tone about the risk, urging residents to "stay up to date on the latest forecast over the coming days." Boat owners are also advised of hazardous conditions for small craft on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning it's best to keep vessels docked and for sailors to hunker down until the storm passes.