Chicago woke up shivering this morning, March 27, under cloudy skies, a raw north wind off the lake, and a chill that made 34°F at Midway feel even colder. The day stays mostly dry but on the chilly side, with highs only clawing into the upper 30s and inland neighborhoods running a few degrees warmer. Commuters should secure loose outdoor items and be ready for jostling on bridges and exposed streets.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
North winds of 10 to 20 mph are expected this afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph. Earlier this morning, gusts along the lakefront already pushed near 30 to 40 mph, setting up a blustery ride for anyone heading in along the water. According to NWS Chicago, skies should turn partly sunny with a high near 37°F, and winds will ease later tonight to around 10 to 15 mph, with a low near 29°F. A Gale Warning remains in effect for Illinois and Indiana nearshore waters until 7 AM CDT Friday, March 27, so boaters may want to leave the big plans for another day.
Weekend Warmup
By the weekend, the script flips as winds swing around to the southwest and temperatures bounce back. Highs are expected to reach near 49°F on Saturday, March 28, and around 60°F on Sunday, March 29, with the sun breaking through more consistently away from the lake. It will feel a lot more like “yes, we can go outside,” but afternoons could still be gusty, and the temperature gap between the lakefront and inland neighborhoods will grow. For more on the week‑ahead swings, see our weather whiplash week ahead.
Storms Return Next Week
The quiet stretch will not last long. A stormier setup moves in Monday night into Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with showers and thunderstorms likely and inland highs potentially jumping into the mid 70s, around 76°F. NWS Chicago notes that increasing moisture and stronger atmospheric forcing could allow a few storms to become strong to severe on Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Residents should keep Monday night, and Tuesday plans flexible and stay tuned to local forecasts for updated timing and any watches or warnings.
