Chicago is waking up to a stormy Sunday, with showers and thunderstorms expected through around 1 PM CT before skies open up — setting the stage for a gorgeous Memorial Day holiday.
Today’s Setup
The Chicago weather forecast this morning is wet and unsettled. A surface front is sweeping east across the metro, bringing showers and embedded thunderstorms — coverage is highest along and east of I-55, according to the National Weather Service in Romeoville. This is a tropical air mass: precipitable water values are above 1.50 inches, which means brief heavy downpours are possible with rain rates locally exceeding an inch per hour. Widespread flash flooding isn’t expected, but the NWS flags localized ponding in poor-drainage areas and low-lying underpasses — watch those viaducts if you’re driving around the city. Sunday’s high reaches near 66°F, with northeast winds around 5 mph and gusts to 10 mph.
Rain Timing and Risk
The front exits east around midday. The NWS expects conditions to improve by 1 PM CT, with mostly sunny skies filling back in by mid-afternoon. Sunday night looks mostly clear with a low near 58°F. Some patchy fog develops after 10 PM, but that’s a minor nuisance — nothing that should disrupt late-evening plans.
Best Window To Be Outside
Sit tight through the morning. After 1 PM CT, Lincoln Park, the Riverwalk, and the lakefront should be genuinely pleasant in the mid-60s. It’s a solid late-afternoon window for a walk, a run, or getting the backyard in shape for your Memorial Day cookout. Check our outdoor gear deals if you’re prepping for a holiday weekend gathering.
Today’s Events: Cubs at Wrigley and Sueños Festival
The Chicago Cubs host the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field today — first pitch is going to be damp, so layer up and bring a poncho. Throw on your Chicago Cubs jersey and pack a Chicago Cubs fitted cap to keep the drizzle off your face. Need seats? Find tickets on StubHub before game time.
Over at Grant Park, the Sueños Festival is also happening today — the post-1 PM CT clearing window should make outdoor stages much more enjoyable, so check stage schedules as conditions improve. Looking a few days ahead, A$AP Rocky brings the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour to the United Center on May 27. Get tickets on SeatGeek while they’re available.
Allergy and Indoor Air Quality
Post-frontal humid air can stir up mold spores and pollen counts. If you’re allergy-sensitive, now’s a good time to swap in a washable HVAC air filter MERV 13 to trap particulates recirculating through your home. A dehumidifier for home will also help manage the muggy air that tends to linger after heavy tropical moisture events like this one.
Tonight’s Dinner
A rainy Sunday evening calls for a big bowl of pasta or a quick stir-fry. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Memorial Day (Monday, May 25) is the star of this weekend — patchy morning fog clears by 10 AM CT, then sunny skies take over with a high near 75°F and a light south-southeast breeze of 5–10 mph. It’s a near-perfect holiday. The Chicago White Sox open a home series against the Minnesota Twins at Rate Field, making it a great afternoon for baseball. Above-normal temperatures are expected through early next week, so enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
