Chicago is starting Thursday on a calm, cool note, sitting near 54°F under clear skies. Patchy fog may hug the lakeshore before sunrise, but once the sun gets going, temperatures will climb fast. Expect mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 80°F, with a south wind of 5 to 15 mph and gusts up to about 25 mph. Neighborhoods right along the lake will run a bit cooler, so a light layer is still your friend if you are headed to the water.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southerly winds will crank up through the afternoon, with sustained speeds around 5 to 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph that could flip umbrellas and send lightweight patio gear scooting across the yard. The breeze will help inland areas feel noticeably warmer than the immediate lakefront. For timing and more detail, check the National Weather Service forecast.
Late Night Storms
A cold front will roll through late tonight into early Friday, dragging a line of showers and thunderstorms across the area between roughly 2 and 4 a.m. Overnight, showers and storms are likely, with about a 60% chance of rain and pockets of brief heavy downpours. Forecasters are also watching for strong outflow gusts and small hail, mainly west of I-39. Similar late night storms briefly disrupted O'Hare on Wednesday, so anyone flying should keep an eye on updates from airlines and airport operators, as reported when storm battered O'Hare grinds to a halt.
Friday And The Weekend
Showers and thunderstorms stay in the picture on Friday, with a high near 72°F and gusty southwest winds before rain chances taper Friday night. High pressure is expected to settle in over the weekend, bringing cooler, mainly dry weather. Look for highs around 55°F on Saturday and the mid 50s on Sunday, with the lake again keeping shoreline spots cooler. Saturday is shaping up as the better bet for outdoor plans, while Friday events should come with a rain backup.
Plan Ahead
Allow some extra time for the Thursday morning commute if you are driving through patchy fog before 7 a.m., and stick with low beams in reduced visibility. If you have late night travel or an early Friday flight, check your airline app for possible delays tied to storms. It is also a good idea to take a minute before the afternoon breeze kicks in to secure outdoor furniture and any loose decorations.
