Current Conditions
CHICAGO – Heavy rain is in the forecast for much of Chicagoland Friday evening.
The round of afternoon storms has the potential to produce hazardous winds, hail and even isolated tornado risks.
The National Weather Service did issue a Tornado Watch for much of Chicagoland until 11 p.m. Friday night, but dropped it at around 9:30 p.m.
The FAA also issued a ground stop at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, but dropped it at around 10:45 p.m.
Temps on Friday will stay in the 70s overnight into Saturday, but more hot and humid weather is on the way for the weekend.
TONIGHT: Numerous showers and thunderstorms, some may be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and torrential downpours. Warm and humid. Winds: South 5-10 mph gusting higher in and near thunderstorms. Low: 72.
Looking Ahead
The weekend kicks off with primarily cloudy skies following late Friday night/early Saturday morning showers and thunderstorms. There is an additional risk for scattered thunderstorms early Saturday afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front.
The metro area is in a level 1 of 5 (Marginal Risk) for potentially seeing a strong or severe thunderstorm with gusty winds and brief heavy downpours being the primary threats.
Here is a radar model simulation of how storms may evolve Saturday afternoon. Storms should exit by late afternoon allowing for partial sunshine to emerge.
Highs won’t be quite as warm as Friday, but expect a seasonable day with peak readings in the middle 80s with muggy low 70-degree dewpoints.
Saturday Forecast
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Another round of scattered showers and possible thunderstorms may impact up to 40% of the metro area, especially during the afternoon. Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph. High: 86.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clouds scatter, turning modestly cooler and less humid. Low: 68.
Saturday Sunburn Forecast
Strong summer sun means it will take you less than 20 minutes to get a sunburn at peak time, 1 p.m.
The Bigger Picture
Showers and storms could persist into Saturday, then humid conditions take hold, with the exception of Sunday.
Temps look to hover in the mid- to upper 80s, possibly breaking 90, around Chicagoland heading into about the middle of next week.
Climate and Environment news: WGN Weather Center blog
Sunday Outlook
A ridge of high pressure takes hold of our weather on Sunday bringing mostly sunny skies and seasonably warm temperatures, peaking in the low to middle 80s, but the big difference will be a drop in humidity. Dewpoints ( a measure of atmospheric moisture) which were in the muggy 70s both Friday and Saturday, will drop to the 50s Sunday afternoon lending a far more comfortable feel to the air.
Forecast Highs – How Far From Normal?
A brief return to heat and increased humidity early next week as highs surge back into 90-degree territory Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before a cool front brings another round of delightful summer air.
Highs Across the U.S. For Next 8 Days
Near seasonable warmth continues for the Chicagoland area into the middle of next week before an impressive dump of cooler Canadian air.
Temperature Anomaly Forecast
Notable surge of cool air showing up late next week and weekend as a very intense trough in the Canadian polar region will be dragged southward into the northern Rockies and Great Lakes.
Tracking Weather Systems Across the U.S. – Next 8 Days
Next chance for scattered thunderstorms across the Chicago area arrives late Tuesday and continuing at times through Thursday ahead of cooler, Canadian air behind a fairly strong summer cold front.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the weather forecast for the Chicagoland area is expected to be hot and humid for the weekend, with a
