At 5:35 a.m. CDT Tuesday, Midway Airport (KMDW) checked in with mostly clear skies and about 55°F. Look for mostly sunny skies this afternoon with a high near 68°F and a northeast breeze that will steadily build through the morning. Lakeshore neighborhoods will run a few degrees cooler than inland spots, so plan on layers if you are spending time near the water.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Winds will ramp up from around 10 mph in mid-morning to 10 to 15 mph by afternoon, with gusts that could reach 25 mph during the warmest part of the day. Those bursts will make the lakefront feel noticeably cooler and could topple lightweight canopies or umbrellas, so secure loose items before you head out. Cyclists and runners should expect some gusty stretches during the afternoon commute and plan routes with that in mind.
Dry Midweek Then A Fast Warm-Up
Wednesday stays dry and sunny with highs near 73°F and lighter east winds. On Thursday, a stronger southwest flow arrives and sends inland temperatures jumping into the upper 80s. Forecasters expect lower afternoon humidity away from the lake, so it will feel drier the farther you get from the shoreline. We covered this coming warmup yesterday in an earlier post on the steamy late-week warmup.
Weekend Showers Return
Rain chances go up Friday afternoon and become more likely Friday night into Saturday, with scattered thunderstorms possible and periods of heavier downpours as column moisture increases. No watches or warnings are in effect this morning, but forecasters note that precipitable water values could approach 2 inches at times Friday night, which would raise the risk of brief heavy rainfall in poor-drainage areas. For the latest updates, see the National Weather Service Chicago.
Bottom line: enjoy a sunny, breezy Tuesday, tie down anything that might try to take flight, and check the forecast before locking in those Friday night or Saturday outdoor plans. If you have events outside to close the week, keep an eye on updates and have a backup spot ready in case showers or thunderstorms roll through.
