Chicagoans basking in the current stretch of sunny skies should enjoy the warmth while it lasts, as weather forecasts predict a dramatic shift come Friday. A high of 47 degrees is expected today with steady east winds, according to the National Weather Service, as reported by their official website. Clarity will continue into the night, with temperatures expected to dip to a low around 37. Tomorrow promises similar conditions, with a high near 49 and calm east northeast winds.
The fair weather is projected to persist through Thursday, with a gradual warming trend bringing highs up to around 60 degrees inland, though slightly cooler lakeside. However, this tranquil period is merely the calm before the forecasted storm. Fox32 Chicago warns of impending severe weather, as they reported, "We have strong wind on the way Friday and Saturday as a storm system chugs across the country." Breezes could intensify to gusts ranging from 20 to potentially as high as 35 mph on Friday and span between 40 to 50 mph later on the same day, with the risk of gusts tagging 55 mph on Saturday.
As the workweek draws to an end, Chicago is expected to heat up significantly, with Friday's high near the 70s and some areas potentially reaching the upper 70s or even 80 degrees. But the warmth heralds instability, with showers and a possible thunderstorm on Friday. The National Weather Service indicates the "Chance of precipitation is 100% " Friday night. The anticipated storms have prompted discussions of a potential for severe weather, particularly late Friday into the early hours of Saturday, posing risks of scattered to numerous severe storms across the region, more so in the southwestern counties.
Looking further ahead, the passage of the storm will leave Chicago with a brisk and markedly cooler weekend. The National Weather Service projects a 20 percent chance of showers for Saturday and a chance of rain and snow showers before 1pm on Sunday. Following the tumult of the storm, the early stages of next week promise a return to more peaceful conditions, with partly to mostly sunny skies and daytime highs climbing back into the mid-50s to mid-60s.
