Chicago, IL weather this Friday, May 15 brings partly sunny skies and a comfortable high near 72°F — your window to get outside is today, because storms are moving in well after midnight.
Today’s Setup
South winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph will keep things breezy along the Lakefront Trail and Lincoln Park today. The good news: rain chances sit at just 12% through the afternoon, making this the cleanest stretch of the entire weekend. Take advantage of the mild air while it lasts.
Best Window To Be Outside
This morning through early afternoon is your sweet spot. The National Weather Service pinpoints storm timing well after sunset — showers and thunderstorms are likely between 1 AM and 4 AM CT Saturday, with a 70% precipitation chance by early morning. Friday’s daytime hours are free and clear for errands, an outdoor lunch along the river, or a walk through Grant Park.
Storm Risk: Overnight Into Saturday
Overnight Friday, rain and thunderstorms move in with south winds gusting to 25 mph. Saturday heats up to near 81°F but carries a 54% chance of showers and thunderstorms through the day. The Weather Prediction Center puts flash flood risk below 5% locally, so major flooding is not the primary concern — but outdoor plans need a backup.
Farther ahead: The National Weather Service flags Monday into Tuesday as the period with the best potential for widespread storms, some possibly severe. Keep an eye on updates through the weekend.
Events This Weekend
Tonight’s shows are mostly indoors — you’re in good shape. Bring Me The Horizon rocks Allstate Arena tonight, May 15. Grab a Bring Me The Horizon t-shirt and Find tickets on StubHub if you still need a seat. Charlie Puth’s Whatever’s Clever! World Tour also plays Rosemont Theatre tonight.
Saturday’s outdoor events carry real storm risk. Bruno Mars brings The Romantic Tour to Soldier Field on May 16 under that 54% storm chance — pack a rain layer and a backup plan. The White Sox also host the Cubs at Rate Field on Saturday; Get tickets on SeatGeek and bring a soft cooler backpack for tailgating between breaks in the storms. Ari Lennox’s The Vacancy Tour at The Chicago Theatre on May 16 is a smart indoor fallback if the weather turns.
Cubs fans: the Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on Monday, May 18. Conditions look more settled early next week before the Monday storm threat ramps up. Stock up with a Chicago Cubs jersey before heading to the Friendly Confines.
Allergy Alert
South winds pumping warm air through the weekend are keeping pollen counts elevated across the metro. Keep allergy relief nasal spray in your bag for outdoor events, and run a HEPA air purifier at home to keep indoor air clean between now and Sunday.
Dinner Tonight
With a dry evening ahead before those late-night storms, tonight is a great excuse for a quick pasta or stir-fry at home before heading out to a show. Need everything on hand? You can order groceries on Amazon and have Amazon Fresh groceries delivered straight to your door.
Next Few Days
- Saturday: Near 81°F, 54% storm chance — warm but unsettled; outdoor events need a rain plan
- Sunday: Storm chances continue through early morning
- Monday–Tuesday: Widespread storms possible, some potentially severe, per the National Weather Service
- Follow the Chicago weather forecast for daily updates as the pattern evolves
Heading outdoors this weekend between the storms? Browse our outdoor gear deals to gear up fast.
