Chicago is waking up to a crisp 43°F and clear skies this Thursday morning, but the chill will not last long. With bright sun on tap, temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 50s by midafternoon. Light north-northeast winds around 5–10 mph should make for a calm, dry commute across most neighborhoods.
This update fine-tunes the outlook we shared last week, with the overall pattern holding steady but timing now sharper on a late-night shower chance and a breezier Friday. For a deeper dive into the setup, take a look at last week’s forecast.
Tonight Into Friday Morning
A slight chance of light rain showers returns late tonight into early Friday morning, mainly after 3 a.m., although most spots should stay dry with only about a 20% chance of rain. Southeast winds will run around 5–10 mph overnight with gusts near 20 mph, and lows will settle in the low 50s. Any light showers that do pop up should move out by mid-morning. According to the National Weather Service Chicago, the better shot at rain will stay focused south and west of the metro area.
Friday And Weekend
Friday brings a noticeable warmup and a definite breeze, with highs near 73°F and southerly winds of 10–15 mph, gusting up to about 30 mph in the afternoon. Outdoor plans may feel a bit blustery, so expect hair and napkins to be on the move. Saturday looks even warmer, with highs near 79°F and showers and thunderstorms likely at times. There will still be plenty of dry breaks mixed in, but scattered storms could be on the stronger side.
Looking ahead, local coverage points to a more active pattern early next week, with a better chance for widespread storms Monday and Tuesday. Some of those could bring heavy rain or damaging gusts, per NBC Chicago.
Plan Ahead
For today, layers and sunglasses are your best bet: chilly early, more comfortable by afternoon. On Friday, a light jacket will help with the gusty winds, and it is a good call to secure loose items if you are hosting anything outdoors. If you have events lined up Monday or Tuesday, keep an indoor backup in your back pocket and check the latest local forecasts before you head out.
