Current Conditions
The current weather conditions are warm and muggy, with increasing cloudiness throughout the day. There is a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms this evening, with a better chance of more organized showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some storms may be capable of producing drenching downpours and gusty winds. The wind will be light and variable, with a low temperature of 74 degrees.
The Next Few Hours
Tuesday will begin with fairly extensive cloud coverage, with perhaps a shower or isolated thunderstorm. The remnants of powerful storms that were affecting parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota on Monday evening will still be present. As the day progresses, the clouds will thin out, allowing for partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures to heat up one final time during this hot spell.
Afternoon Weather
Afternoon highs across the metro area should top out in the lower 90s, with the exception of areas along the immediate Lake Michigan shoreline, where a light localized lake breeze will keep temperatures in the middle 80s.
The combination of high temperatures and continued high humidity will produce peak afternoon heat indices in triple digits for some areas.
Evening Weather
Clouds will fill back in Tuesday evening as a cold front approaches, bringing a new round of scattered thunderstorms. These storms will be possible Tuesday evening into part of Wednesday.
Sunburn Forecast
Tuesday Lower 48 highs
90-degree or warmer heat will expand and intensify across the Northeastern U.S., where hot weather could challenge some longstanding records for July 29th.
Tuesday High Temperature Departure From Normal
Warmer than normal temperatures will dominate from the Plains to the East Coast and across the Southeastern U.S.
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Current Conditions
Next Few Hours
Extended Outlook
A significant pattern change to cooler weather follows one more hot, humid day on Tuesday.
Check out the comparison of 850 millibar temperatures (one mile above the surface, which is a good proxy indicator for how temperatures will respond at the surface).
Monday afternoon temperature anomaly
Thursday afternoon temperature anomaly
Forecast highs Thursday
Forecast high temperature departure from normal Thursday
Forecast highs Friday
Forecast high temperature departure from normal Friday
Forecast highs Saturday
Forecast high temperature departure from normal Saturday
Chicago individual forecast highs next 5-days and departure from normal
Markedly cooler pattern brings a string of below normal days following recent heat and humidity.
