Chicago residents should prepare for a fluctuation in weather conditions over the coming days, with a focus on increased wind activity and the potential for hazardous conditions, particularly for waterside and marine interests. According to the National Weather Service, today's forecast in Chicago calls for sunny skies and a comfortable high of 68 degrees, while a northeast wind of 10 to 15 mph could see gusts reaching up to 25 mph.

As the evening descends, northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph will gently shift southeast temperatures are expected to drop to a low around 64. The city will see a high swim risk along the Lake Michigan beaches that's poised to persist through the afternoon, according to a statement by the NWS. Friday will introduce scattered showers mainly after 4:00 P.M., with partly sunny conditions and the temperature climbing to nearly 82 degrees, whereas the chance of precipitation is pinned at 30%. Nighttime could escalate the situation as showers and thunderstorms become more probable after 10:00 P.M. There's an 80% chance that rain and possibly severe weather could roll in after 1:00 A.M. with a low temperature settling around 71 degrees.

The weekend forecast indicates a lingering 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, however, skies are expected to clear by nightfall, leading to a mostly sunny Sunday with highs around 70 degrees, as noted in a detailed forecast by the National Weather Service Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Hazardous Weather Outlook warns of potential strong winds and hail starting late Friday and rolling into Saturday where the primary threats are strong winds and hail, while Sunday conditions on Lake Michigan could once again become rough for small crafts, with a limited thunderstorm risk re-emerging on Tuesday.