Chicago’s weather today, Sunday, July 5, 2026, brings lingering morning fog and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 PM CT, followed by clearing skies and a high near 73°F — so plan outdoor errands for the afternoon, not the morning.
Today’s Setup
A sluggish shortwave trough is parked over the Great Lakes, and the National Weather Service says saturated low levels are keeping dense fog and low clouds over the Chicago metro and the Lake Michigan shoreline through daybreak. That fog should erode by mid-morning, but showers and a few thunderstorms are likely before 1 PM CT, with north winds at 10 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. Skies turn mostly cloudy behind the morning activity, with just a slight chance of a stray shower into the evening.
Best Window To Be Outside
Once the morning storms clear by early-to-mid afternoon, the rest of Sunday looks solid for the Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals game at Wrigley Field today — just expect a soggy, breezy first pitch window and possible early delays. Fans at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway today should also watch that same morning window and plan tailgate setups for after the rain moves out. A pop-up canopy tent with weights and a ratchet tie down strap kit are smart adds for either tailgate given the gusty north wind.
Rain, Wind, Or Flood Risk
The Weather Prediction Center has flagged a Day 1 excessive rainfall threat area, and the local NWS office is watching for renewed flooding if any storm cells stall over neighborhoods that already saw heavy rain the past few days — mainly the Chicago metro and areas closest to the lake. If you’re near low-lying streets or underpasses, avoid driving through standing water this afternoon. Scattered storms (20-40% chance) are also possible farther south near I-80, though many areas should stay dry.
What To Wear Or Bring
Grab a light rain layer for the morning, but plan for pleasant, breezy conditions by afternoon. For Wrigley or the speedway, a Chicago Cubs jersey or Chicago Cubs fitted cap round out the gameday look nicely.
Looking Ahead: Games And Concerts
The Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox at Rate Field Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8, with much calmer weather expected by then. Later next week, Windy City Smokeout hits the United Center on July 12 — grab a Windy City Smokeout t-shirt or Windy City Smokeout hoodie if you’re headed over. Also on July 12, the Tyler Childers concert lands at Wrigley Field. For any of these, tickets on SeatGeek or tickets on StubHub are worth checking before they sell out.
Dinner Tonight
Once the storms clear this afternoon, it’s solid grilling weather — think burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. An instant-read meat thermometer and a grill brush and scraper set make cleanup and doneness a lot easier, and our pork loin smoking guide is worth a look if you want to try something different. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Monday looks like the pick of the week: sunny and near 73°F with lighter NNE wind, per the NWS forecast — ideal for mowing, fishing, or an evening walk along the lakefront. Drier, more seasonable conditions hold into the start of the week before the outdoor gear deals come in handy again, as forecasters note stormier weather is possible by late week.
