Chicagoans are bracing for a mixed bag of weather this coming week, with the city's meteorologists laying out the possibility of everything from frosty conditions to thunderstorms. The National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville forecast today pegs the highs at a modest 49 degrees, accompanied by increasing clouds and potentially blustery west northwest winds.

Tonight, 'The Windy City' expects mostly cloudy skies initially before they clear up, with lows dipping to around 37. There's also a "Significant Frost Risk" for the surrounding areas outside of Chicago as per the National Weather Service, hinting that locals better keep their winter gear handy for at least another night.

Sunday's outlook seems a bit brighter, literally, with sunny skies forecasted and a high nearing the 59-degree mark. But don't stow away those comforters just yet – Sunday night might see temperatures dropping to around 43, with "Limited Frost Risk" reported by the National Weather Service.

Looking at the week ahead, Monday should offer some reprieve with a sunny high around 65 degrees, but that's just a brief prelude to more volatile weather. With a 50 percent chance of showers rolling in past 1 a.m., evening dwellers should consider an umbrella part of their night-out ensemble. "A chance of showers and thunderstorms," looms on Tuesday, heralding a breezy day with a substantial 70 percent chance of precipitation, while the mercury stays at a stable high in the mid-60s.

The rest of the week will see a yo-yo of conditions, according to a post by NWS Chicago. Wednesday offers clear, sunny skies but with highs only near 47 degrees. Chicago will warm up slightly by Thursday with a high of 52; however, shower chances creep back into the forecast Thursday night. By Friday, the city can anticipate more showers with highs reaching near 58, considerably more pleasant than the start of the week's frost nipping at the city's heels.

For those venturing onto Lake Michigan, the story is similar. While today will see hazardous conditions for small craft, particularly on the Indiana nearshore, the outlook is not benevolent for seafarers, with "Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely at times Monday through Friday," according to the weather service.