Chicago woke up to bright sun and a bit of a chill on Wednesday, with temperatures parked in the upper 20s at area airports under clear skies. The day is set to top out near 40°F before slipping back a few degrees later, as a stiff northwest breeze turns the afternoon into a cool, blustery ride.
Afternoon Gusts And Small Craft Advisory
Sunny skies should stick around, with a high near 40°F and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Chicago. The same forecast highlights a Small Craft Advisory for nearshore Lake Michigan waters, including Gary to Burns Harbor, in effect until about 3 PM CST. That means smaller boats ought to stay in port and any loose gear should be tied down. The strongest gusts are expected from late morning through mid afternoon, so the midday commute could feel extra breezy, especially on exposed bridges and near the lakefront.
Lakefront And Commute Tips
Heading for the lakefront trail or biking across town? Plan for crosswinds and keep an extra layer within reach. Most drivers and transit riders will see only minor impacts, but high-profile vehicles and cyclists are likely to notice the gusts more than usual. Boat owners are better off postponing nonessential trips on Lake Michigan until winds ease later this evening.
Warm Weekend Trend
Temperatures stay on the friendly side of late winter through the weekend, with highs expected in the upper 40s to around 50°F from Friday through Sunday and overnight lows mainly in the 30s. Forecast discussion points to a broader warm pattern continuing into next week, with a chance of rain arriving Tuesday night into Wednesday as southerly flow strengthens. For more background and Tuesday's earlier wind update along the shoreline, see our Tuesday lakefront winds.
