As residents of Chicago enjoy a partly sunny sky with a high near 69 degrees today, the National Weather Service cautions of a stark shift in weather beginning later tonight, with a 70% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 1 am, including a threat of heavy rainfall; northeastern winds will be blowing at 5 to 10 mph, reports the NWS forecast. Alongside this, Lake Michigan beachgoers are alerted to a high swim risk through this evening, while all mariners are advised on hazardous conditions today for small craft on Illinois and Indiana nearshore waters, according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook by the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL.
The looming storm system, as it progresses into Tuesday, carries an 80% chance of continued rain showers and potential thunderstorms, while new rainfall amounts are projected between a quarter and a half of an inch, a troubling forecast considering, especially since some storms could produce heavy rainfall, could lead to flooding risks and the National Weather Service points to limited flooding risk and thunderstorm risk primarily over northwest Indiana and east of Interstate 57 in Illinois.
Following the wet and volatile start of the week, Chicagoans can look forward to a respite with a return to mostly sunny conditions and a high near 74 degrees by Wednesday, a welcome shift for the city inhabitants longing for calm after the tempest. The pleasant weather extends into Thursday with similar conditions, as indicated by the four-day outlook provided by NWS Chicago.
Pleasant weather is expected today before a storm system brings rain to much of the area by late tonight continuing Tue. While not everyone will see heavy rain, the locations that do could see totals over an inch! Sunshine and mild temps are expected Wed and Thu. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/sFrrvX5CHq
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) September 23, 2024
Friday and Saturday's forecasts suggest a resurgence of uncertainty, with chances of showers reemerging coupled with mostly cloudy nights. Boaters are again advised of potentially hazardous conditions for small craft on Lake Michigan later in the week.
