Current Weather Conditions
The current weather conditions are characterized by scattered clouds, warm and muggy temperatures, and south winds at 5-13 mph. The low temperature is expected to be around 77 degrees.
The weekend is expected to start with plenty of sunshine on Saturday morning, but clouds will slowly gather during the afternoon and evening.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted to enter parts of the area later in the afternoon or Saturday evening.
Parts of the metro area are currently in a level 1 or 2 risk for seeing a strong or severe thunderstorm. Damaging winds will be the biggest hazard with any severe thunderstorm, but there is also a threat of torrential downpours given the amount of humidity in the air.
Saturday Temperature Forecast
Highs are predicted to reach the 90s for a third consecutive day, making this yet another heat wave in the summer of 2025!
Lake Michigan Beach Forecast
Breezy conditions will result in a modest 1-3 foot chop for area swimmers, but swim risk is to remain low. Water temperatures are at the summer peak, making it a good time to beat the heat and take a dip in Lake Michigan.
Boating Forecast
Farther out in the middle of the lake, southerly winds at 15-25 mph will result in a 2-4 chop for area boaters.
Saturday Smoke Forecast
Following a reprieve on Friday, smoke is set to re-enter Chicago’s airspace through the Western U.S. rather than from Canadian wildfires. To date, 42,670 wildfires have burned 3,613,023 million acres across the U.S.
Saturday Sunburn Forecast
Heat and humidity will make for low sunburn times, so make sure to have protective sunscreen if planning to spend any extended time outdoors.
Next Few Hours
Extended Outlook
Chicago Precipitation Chances
While there will be far more dry hours than wet ones, rain chances will pick up as we move through the weekend and into early next week with periodic thunderstorm clusters.
Best thinking now is the Sunday night/Monday timeframe for seeing the most organized area showers and thunderstorms.
Humidity Forecast
Humid air is locked in place and going nowhere anytime soon. This will provide enough fuel for any thunderstorm that does develop.
When Showers and Thunderstorms Are Likely to Occur
Monday looks like a fairly active day with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms likely. Any storm that does develop is capable of gusty winds and drenching downpours.
Torrential Rainfall Possible for Areas West of Chicago
There is a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) for flooding rainfall issued by the Weather Prediction Center.
Storms producing very heavy rainfall are expected this weekend across portions of the Upper Midwest, especially during the overnight hours Saturday into early Sunday morning.
Total Precipitation Through Wednesday Evening
Gargantuan rainfall totals are possible across Northern Missouri, Eastern Iowa, and Western Illinois as a stationary front brings repeat rounds of thunderstorms. Across the Chicago area, current modeling suggests 1-2” may be possible, but locally heavier in some areas due to thunderstorms.
Chicago Forecast High Temperatures
Temperatures are
