Chicago is starting Saturday with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, but the day will turn breezy, mostly sunny and noticeably cooler than a typical late-August scorcher. Highs should reach about 78 degrees, with gusts of 20 to 25 mph and a small chance of a shower or thunderstorm after 2 p.m.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up Near The Lake
The best chance for a brief shower or storm will be near Lake Michigan during the afternoon and early evening, when precipitation chances rise to about 20%. The National Weather Service Chicago says no severe weather is expected, and any showers should fade around or shortly after sunset.
Those northwest winds will be the bigger issue for lakefront plans. A new Beach Hazards Statement takes effect for Chicago-area beaches late Saturday night and runs through Sunday evening, with waves of 3 to 6 feet and dangerous currents expected.
Beach Conditions Turn Dangerous Through Sunday
Swimming conditions may be life-threatening, particularly for inexperienced swimmers. Officials are urging people to stay out of the water and avoid piers, jetties, breakwalls and other shoreline structures while the lake remains rough.
Sunday looks much quieter inland, with sunny skies, a high near 75 and a low around 61 Sunday night. Monday should remain mostly sunny near 74 degrees, while Tuesday warms back toward 78 before shower and thunderstorm chances increase around Wednesday.
Warmer Midweek, Then Mostly Calm Again
Wednesday is currently expected to be the warmest day of the stretch, with a high near 82 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day and evening. Thursday and Friday should turn sunnier again, with highs near 80 and 79 degrees, respectively.
For Chicagoans making weekend plans, Saturday is largely a dry day away from the lake, but the combination of strong wind and rising waves makes the shoreline a place to admire from a safe distance. The city’s last beach-weather headache is not quite over, even as the forecast settles into a calmer pattern inland.
