Chicago residents can expect an escalation in temperatures today, with highs potentially reaching into the upper 80s. While the day will begin with increased cloudiness, prepare for breezy conditions, with south-southwest winds blowing at 15 to 20 mph and gusts that could surge as high as 35 mph, as reported by the National Weather Service. As the evening unfolds, Chicago could see a diminishing amount of smoke hanging in the sky, potentially giving way to a clearer night sky before the predicted showers and thunderstorms.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the chance of afternoon showers remains slim, but a line of showers and thunderstorms is likely to sweep through the area later in the night, although the outlook for severe storms doesn't seem alarming. As the system moves in, residents might notice some variance in sky clarity, but the main onset of precipitation is set to occur past sunset.
Wednesday's weather pattern signals change; a cold front is expected to pass through during the morning hours, instigating a decline in temperatures that could drop to around 60 degrees by early afternoon. An 80% chance of precipitation indicates showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 pm, followed by showers likely afterward, as per the National Weather Service. When shifting winds from southwest to north, residents should anticipate between a half and three-quarters of an inch of new rainfall.
As the week progresses, a shift occurs as storm tracks appear to migrate southward. For Thursday and Friday, this adjustment prompts the removal of rain from the forecast. Highs will likely hover in the 70s, providing a brief respite from the recent swelter, FOX 32 Chicago notes. The coming weekend further fosters this break in the weather, with a dry Saturday expected, boasting temperatures in the mid-70s. Brief showers might return on Sunday, although this promises a moderate climate, with once again highs projected in the 70s.
