Weather Forecast and Updates
Current Weather Conditions
Summer has arrived in Chicagoland, and it looks like hot and humid conditions are going to stick around for a while, save for a little midweek cooldown.
Tuesday will certainly be warm and sticky, with high temperatures getting close to 90 and dew points elevating toward oppressive levels. Winds out of the south/southwest are sending the humid air into our area and also pushing away lakeside cooling, so it’ll be hot everywhere in Chicagoland on Tuesday.
There’s also a chance for storms Tuesday, possibly strong to severe, during about the 4 to 7 p.m. timeframe. Our in-house model shows how thunderstorms may “blossom” as the afternoon progresses, fueled by the near 90-degree warmth and humid atmosphere.
Much of Chicagoland sits in a Level 1 of 5, or marginal risk, of seeing a strong or severe thunderstorm Tuesday. The biggest threats would be gusty winds and isolated large hail.
Weather Outlook for the Next Few Days
Wednesday, meanwhile, will bring a bit of a cooldown to the low 80s, along with another chance for strong to severe storms. As of now, the severe threat for Wednesday afternoon is higher than it is for Tuesday.
Highs look to remain in the low 80s for Juneteenth on Thursday, but then the heat and humidity is projected to rise even higher for the coming weekend than it is for the start of this week, with temps in the mid-90s and heat index values possibly between 100 and 105 on Saturday and Sunday (see more below).
Sunburn Forecast
We’re only a few days away from the Summer Solstice, which is Friday, so the sun is quite strong. Peak time at 1 p.m. suggests it will take less than 20 minutes to get a sunburn.
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Looking Ahead
Forecast GIF of Potential Precipitation Layout
Thunderstorms are projected to hit in multiple waves, but Wednesday offers the greatest potential of seeing beneficial areawide rainfall.
Total Rainfall Forecast
The potential exists for some much-needed rainfall, but as is the case in summer, thunderstorms do not distribute rainfall evenly, hitting one area hard, while another location nearby could see considerably less.
Heat is On!
Following Wednesday’s thunderstorms, comfortable temperatures settle in Thursday and Friday, before the season’s first heat wave arrives this weekend, with temps 10 degrees or more above average.
Chicago Forecast Highs and How Far from Normal Next 5 Days
Highs will likely soar well into the 90s beginning Saturday and continuing straight through next week Monday.
A heat wave in this area is classified as at least three straight days of 90 degrees or warmer.
Forecast High: Saturday
