Current Weather Conditions
The current weather conditions are mainly clear and a bit milder than normal, with comfortable humidities. The lows range from the mid to upper 50s in the coolest outlying areas to the middle 60s downtown Chicago. The winds are light and variable, with a low of 62.
The Next Few Hours
Thursday begins with some cloudiness, but the dry and quiet weather pattern that has dominated this week will continue at least another day. The Chicagoland area sits in-between an area of low pressure to the west and high pressure to the southeast, resulting in another picture-perfect late summer day.
Thursday Surface Map
The Chicagoland area is situated between an area of low pressure to the west and high pressure to the southeast, resulting in a picture-perfect late summer day.
Thursday Morning Temperatures
Dry air cools off far more efficiently, resulting in 50s away from Lake Michigan to begin the day, while the urbanization of downtown Chicago and the relatively warmer lake waters keep readings in the 60s for the immediate suburbs.
Thursday Afternoon Temperatures
Following three straight days in which the official high has been 83-degrees, Thursday promises to bring the warmest daytime temperatures yet of this recent warm cycle. The forecast high of 85-degrees will make this the warmest day in a month, since 87-degrees on August 18!
Lake Michigan Water Temperatures and Boating Forecast
Another ideal day for area boaters who are able to take advantage of the gorgeous conditions. A light south wind will become easterly and freshen a bit to nearly 15 knots in the afternoon, creating a modest 1–2-foot chop, but hardly anything too intimidating. Water temperatures remain quite comfortable for the back half of September.
Sunburn Forecast
Weather Maps
For more information on the current weather conditions and forecast, please refer to our weather maps section.
Climate & Environment
For more information on climate and environment news, please refer to our climate and environment section.
Interactive Radar
For more information on interactive radar, please refer to our interactive radar section.
Weather Bug Cameras
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7-Day Outlook
For more information on the 7-day outlook, please refer to our 7-day forecast section.
Weather Center Newsletter
For more information on the weather center newsletter, please refer to our weather center newsletter section.
Current Conditions
Next Few Hours
Extended Outlook
Chicago Forecast Highs and Departure from Normal
Temperatures peak on Thursday then drop off a bit over the weekend due to more cloud coverage and rain chances but remain well above normal.
Temperature Outlook: September 25 through October 1
This graphic confirms what the previous 850 millibar forecast animation was showing. Warmer than normal to, in some cases, much above normal temperatures to dominate the final week of September for much of the Lower 48. The one exception: the Pacific Northwest, where cooler than normal conditions are expected.
Chicago Precipitation Chances
Rain chances increase heading into the weekend, but the best coverage areawide appears to be on Sunday at this distance.
Forecast Animation: Tracking Potential Precipitation through Next 5 Days
Any rainfall looks spotty in coverage as we begin the weekend, but better chances to give your lawn and garden a drink of water Sunday into Monday.
Chicago Humidity Forecast
While hardly anything close to some of the humid levels observed earlier in the summer, there will be a jump in humidity over the weekend as we reintroduce rain chances into the forecast. Moderate levels (dew points in the 60s) are currently forecasted.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle is forecast to become a hurricane later this weekend.
Forecast Ensemble Mean
Some forecast variety in the maximum intensity. Many models show Category 3 pressure < 960s mb and while the storm is likely to stay far away from the United States, it could brush parts of Bermuda early next week.
