Chicago residents can expect to bask under a mostly sunny sky today with temperatures peaking at a pleasant 78 degrees, but the carefree weather is slated to shift gears as storms gather strength over the northern plains. The National Weather Service forecasts a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms post-1am tonight, coupled with a partly cloudy sky and lows hovering around 70 degrees. Winds will shift from east to south after midnight, potentially gusting up to 10 mph.
The weekend brings an unstable mix of heat and humidity, which is likely to give rise to severe weather conditions beginning Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, there's a 60 percent chance we'll see showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then likely thunderstorms after 4pm with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except where heavier amounts spill from thunderstorms. The day looks to heat up near 86 degrees with south southwest winds gently nudging at 5 to 10 mph, occasionally gusting as high as 15 mph.
Corroborating this sentiment, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes indicated a vortex of storms developing that could make conditions muggier by tonight. "If that develops, we get the chance of thunderstorms as early as 9 a.m.," Jeanes said, noting that the severe threat would be greater in the afternoon if morning storms do not materialize, as stated by NBC Chicago.
Looking ahead to next week, Chicagoans should prepare not just to stay dry but also to cool down as temperatures are set to climb. The sweltering heat is poised to return with highs projected in the upper 80s to low 90s. "Next week, its going to be all about the heat," said Jeanes, attributing the spike to a dome of high pressure settling over the area. This could just be the beginning as "feels-like" temperatures are expected to rise even higher, and rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are forecasted to continue through Friday.
For those planning their weeks, tight-knit with workflow or whimsy, know that with each rising sun, and indeed throughout, a chance of showers persists. Prepare your umbrellas for Monday and Tuesday, as showers might again grace the city's shoulders, with thunderstorms also possible post-1pm on Monday. While the sun might show its face amid the partly cloudy skies, with a high near 80 on Monday and up to 86 on Tuesday, evening forecasts suggest a continuity of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Come Wednesday, Chicago will briefly bask in summertime glory with a high near 92 and a mostly sunny sky, though the threat of nighttime showers and thunderstorms looms. Thursday follows a similar pattern, promising warmth and sunshine during the day, yet wavering on the edge of thunderous interruptions.
