Sunday morning, March 22, Chicago rolled out of bed to patchy fog and raw, damp air, with temperatures sitting in the low 40s near the lake. A cold front sliding through will keep it on the chilly side, with highs topping out near 42°F before dropping into the mid 30s this afternoon as north winds ramp up. The fog should thin out by around midday, but that growing breeze will make it feel colder than the numbers on the thermometer.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By afternoon, north winds are expected to run 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest along the lakefront and in more exposed neighborhoods. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the nearshore waters, covering the Illinois nearshore from 7 a.m. Sunday, March 22, to 1 p.m., Monday, March 23, and the Indiana nearshore from 10 a.m. Sunday, March 22, to 4 p.m. Monday, March 23. North winds are forecast to peak near 30 knots with waves up to 16 feet, creating hazardous conditions for small boats; see the National Weather Service. Mariners and waterfront visitors are urged to stay off the water until conditions calm down.
Foggy Morning, Spotty Light Rain Possible
Patchy fog is expected to hang around roughly between 7 a.m. and noon, trimming visibility for several hours. From about noon to 5 p.m., there is a slight chance of light rain or drizzle, but any new rainfall should stay under a tenth of an inch. As colder lake air works inland, temperatures are expected to slide into the mid 30s by late afternoon. Those timing and wind details come from the National Weather Service Chicago forecast discussion; see the National Weather Service.
Commute And Waterfront Tips
Plan a little extra time for the morning commute, with fog reducing visibility and those building winds nudging high-profile vehicles and cyclists around. Tie down or bring in loose patio furniture and yard items before the strongest gusts arrive. If you had lakefront or boating plans, keep them on hold until the Small Craft Advisory expires and conditions improve. For time-sensitive plans, follow live updates from local officials and the National Weather Service.
