Chicago woke up at 5:40 a.m. Thursday, February 19 to mostly cloudy skies and a mild 43°F, with temperatures expected to top out near 45°F this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to bubble up later today and carry into the evening, setting up a soggy afternoon and evening commute. Most neighborhoods should only see brief, light rain, but a few spots could get clipped by heavier downpours and some rumbles of thunder.
The National Weather Service is calling for about a 60% chance of showers and storms this afternoon, with most areas picking up less than a quarter inch of rain, though locally heavier bursts are on the table. Temperatures will start to slide tonight, and confidence is growing that stronger winds will follow as the main low-pressure system sweeps through the region. If you have plans later this evening, it is worth keeping an eye on updates from NWS Chicago.
Evening Into Friday, Winds Start Howling
As the low deepens and lifts to the northeast, the wind machine cranks up late Thursday night into Friday. Expect south winds around 10-20 mph Thursday night with gusts up to about 40 mph, then a shift to west winds Friday at 15-30 mph with peak gusts near 45 mph, especially inland. Nearshore Lake Michigan waters could see gale conditions Friday morning into the afternoon, so boaters should be paying close attention to marine alerts.
Friday Morning Mix, Then A Cooler Weekend
On the backside of the front, a quick shot of colder air may flip rain to a rain/snow mix before daybreak Friday across the far northern parts of the region, mainly northwest of I-55 and north of I-80. An inch or less of wet snow is possible in the favored spots. Friday shapes up blustery and cooler with highs in the low 40s, while Saturday looks quieter but on the chilly side, with highs in the upper 30s. Lake-effect snow showers remain on the table Sunday into Monday for areas downwind of the lake.
What Travelers Should Know Before Heading Out
This is a good day to grab an umbrella and lock down any loose patio furniture before the winds really ramp up; short power flickers and fallen branches are possible where gusts peak. Build in extra time for your commute, as gusty winds and brief heavy rain can slow Metra and CTA service, and check carrier alerts if you have a morning trip planned. For background on this warm-to-windy stretch, see our earlier coverage.
