Chicagoans, get ready for a roller coaster ride of weather this coming week, according to forecasts by the National Weather Service. Boasting clear skies and balmy temperatures, today promises a high near 79 degrees with a mild southeast breeze adding to the comfort of a quintessential spring day. But don't let the sunny disposition fool you; the weather is gearing up for a topsy-turvy performance with potential thunderstorms on the horizon.
Tonight, the city is predicted to see partly cloudy skies with a temperate low around 65—this evening wind shifting from south-southeast to southwest after midnight may bring gusts up to 10 mph. Sunday continues the pleasantries with a high near 68 and a manageable north-northwest wind flipping northeast in the afternoon; however, later that night, there's a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms creeping in after 1 a.m., leading into a mostly cloudy evening.
The work week kicks off with a tumultuous Monday, as forecasts suggest a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, primarily after 1 p.m., despite a high soaring near 85 degrees. This will be bolstered by a south wind traveling at 5 to 10 mph, with the possibility of more vigorous gusts clocking in at 15 mph.
For those hoping to dodge the rain, expect disappointment as Monday night's unfavorable odds of 60 percent bring likely showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 am. Moving into Tuesday, the warmth persists with a high near 86, but so does the instability, with another 50 percent possibility of rain and storms Tuesday night's predictions don't stray far, with anticipations of thunderstorms chiefly before 1 am and a low around 63 degrees.
Midweek might offer a slight respite; Wednesday furnishes a chance of showers amidst a mostly sunny high near 76. Even as night falls, there's potential for more precipitation, though the temperatures dip to a cooler low around 56. Thursday's skies cleared up once more with a mostly sunny forecast and a peak temperature near 72, giving Chicago a short reprieve before showers possibly strike again on Friday, despite a general forecast of mostly sunny with a high near 64, according to National Weather Service data.
