Chicago is waking up to a muggy start Friday, with low clouds hugging the lake and patchy fog trimming visibility for early commuters. Temperatures are sitting in the low 70s, around 72°F, and the air feels sticky thanks to a dew point in the upper 60s. The fog should ease by mid-morning, and the city is on track for partly sunny skies and a comfortable high near 76°F today, Friday, July 10, 2026.
Fog Lifts, Skies Brighten
According to the National Weather Service, the patchy fog is expected to lift around 8 a.m., giving way to a brighter, partly sunny day. North-northeast winds around 5 to 10 mph should help clean up the low clouds. Forecasters expect new rainfall totals to stay under a tenth of an inch, though a brief passing shower could nick a few neighborhoods this afternoon.
Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are most likely later today around and south of I-80 as a weak disturbance drifts through. Coverage looks spotty. Most of the city and the lakefront should stay dry, but southern suburbs could see short, heavy downpours that may briefly slow the evening commute.
Weekend Warmup, Heat Building Next Week
Saturday is shaping up mostly sunny with a high near 78°F, a solid setup for outdoor plans. Sunday looks even sunnier, with highs expected to reach around 81°F. Early next week, a more noticeable warmup moves in, with highs climbing into the mid-80s and the potential for low-90s by Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Lake breezes should keep shoreline neighborhoods a bit cooler than inland spots.
How To Stay Comfortable
If your home air conditioning is more theoretical than reliable, the city operates daytime cooling centers and other public facilities to help residents ride out the heat. You can find locations on the City of Chicago cooling centers map.
Hydrate with plenty of water, try to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, and keep tabs on forecast updates if you are planning to be outside for long stretches. Your box fan can only do so much.
