Chicago residents can expect to see a bit of moisture this Thursday morning, but it looks to be drying up quickly as skies clear up, according to the National Weather Service. The city is set for a high near 83 degrees, with the slight possibility of isolated showers and thunderstorms cropping up later in the afternoon. Winds are expected to shift from west northwest to south southwest, somewhat alleviating the damp start to the day.
The evening is projected to follow a similar tranquil pattern, with a low around 67 and isolated thunderstorms calming down before 7 pm. Yet as the weekend draws close, Chicagoans should be ready to experience extreme heat. "Tomorrow we will be on the edge of the intense heat dome that will dominate our weather into next week," FOX32 Chicago reports. High temperatures are set to ascend to the mid to upper 80s, with an incoming area of showers and thunderstorms to potentially interrupt the rising mercury.
In the wake of severe thunderstorms that skirted the city and targeted areas southeast, regions like Jasper, southern Porter, and LaPorte counties felt the impact with notable wind damage, as covered by FOX32 Chicago. Meanwhile, O'Hare International Airport set a new record for June 18 with 1.86 inches of rainfall.
Looking further ahead, the heat becomes a more pressing headline. "Starting this weekend, it’s all about the heat," FOX32 Chicago outlines, predicting highs in the mid to upper 90s. Humidity is expected to heighten the heat index well above 100°, meaning that residents will need to find ways to keep cool and stay hydrated. This intense temperature surge comes just as the Summer Solstice ushers in the astronomical beginning of summer tomorrow night at 9:42 p.m. The next opportunity for rain, along with a respite from the heat, is not expected until late Tuesday with a so-called cold front.
This anticipated cold front could offer a brief cooldown, bringing the high temperatures on Wednesday back down to the more manageable low 80s. However, until then, Chicago will sit under the rule of summer’s swelter, with nightfall offering only slight reprieve with low temps around the mid-70s.
