Chicago is in for a soggy Friday, June 5 — with a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 78°F, grab a packable rain jacket and adjust any outdoor plans before you leave the house.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service is tracking waves of storms rolling in from the west, with scattered showers starting around 7 AM CT and thunderstorms developing through the afternoon. Southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph will gust as high as 30 mph across the metro. NWS forecasters note that thunderstorm coverage stays more isolated through mid-morning, so early risers catch the best window — but by midday activity ramps up significantly. Expect a quarter to half an inch of rain today, with more possible tonight.
Storm Timing: Your Best Window Outside
If you can, handle outdoor errands before noon. After that, scattered thunderstorms become more likely city-wide — from Lincoln Park down through the Loop and out to the suburbs. Storms ease somewhat after 7 PM CT but a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms lingers overnight, with gusts to 25 mph from the west-southwest.
Rain and Wind Risk
Today’s gusty winds make a compact travel umbrella a liability on the lakefront or along Michigan Avenue — it’ll turn inside out in a 30 mph gust. A packable rain jacket is the smarter call and keeps your hands free. Anyone doing real walking should consider waterproof hiking boots. The National Weather Service warns of episodic downpours, so stay clear of underpasses and low-lying areas during the heaviest rain.
Wrigley Field and Weekend Events
Cubs fans heading to the Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants game at Wrigley Field today are walking into a 90% rain chance — check the Cubs’ site for delay updates before making the trip north to Wrigleyville. True fans brave it anyway, and a Chicago Cubs jersey and Chicago Cubs fitted cap are exactly the right uniform for a wet afternoon at the Friendly Confines. You can Find tickets on StubHub or Get tickets on SeatGeek if you haven’t locked in seats yet.
Saturday’s conditions look considerably better for outdoor events. The U.S. Men’s National Team faces Germany at Soldier Field on June 6 in the Coca-Cola Send-Off Match — a 40% chance of scattered storms lingers before 4 PM CT, but the evening should clear. The Cubs host the Giants again at Wrigley on Saturday as well, with the same improving trend.
Rainy Friday Dinner Idea
A stormy afternoon is a perfect excuse to set it and forget it. Throw together a slow cooker chili or beef stew using a programmable slow cooker before you leave — it’s ready when you walk back in. Prefer stovetop? An enameled cast iron Dutch oven makes a rainy evening feel downright cozy. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Saturday improves noticeably with a high near 79°F and storm chances dropping to around 40% — mostly before 4 PM CT. By Saturday night the rain chance falls to just 16% with a pleasant low near 62°F. Track the full Chicago weather forecast through the weekend, and browse outdoor gear deals for rain-ready essentials to keep in your bag all season.
