Chicago is starting Sunday mostly cloudy and breezy with a high near 73°F and north winds around 20 mph gusting to 30 mph, but skies are expected to clear this afternoon — so plan outdoor time for later in the day once the wind and clouds settle down. If you’re heading to Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park, or the lakefront, expect a gustier morning and a calmer, brighter evening.
Today’s Setup
Overnight lows held near 70°F under cloud cover, and the National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville says scattered showers will continue southeast of a Kankakee-to-Valparaiso line through midday, with only a slim, low-confidence chance of a stray sprinkle elsewhere this afternoon. Clearing is expected to move in this afternoon, helping highs reach the mid-to-upper 70s in spots even as the official forecast holds near 73°F for the city.
Best Window To Be Outside
Today’s best stretch is late afternoon into evening once winds ease and clouds break. Monday looks even better — sunny, high near 76°F, with a light east-northeast wind of just 5 to 10 mph. That makes Monday the pick of the week for yard work, golf, or a lakefront walk. A UV protection sun hat is worth having once that sun breaks out.
Wind And Wave Risk At The Lake
Gusts over Lake Michigan may still run 30 to 35 mph through this evening before diminishing overnight into Monday morning, and NWS Chicago has a Beach Hazard Statement in place for high waves and dangerous swimming conditions at Lake Michigan beaches through Monday morning — stay out of the water. If you’re boating, the West Marine ski vests are down to $15, good timing before the water calms. On land, secure patio furniture and pop-up tents with a bungee cord assortment or outdoor furniture covers, and anchor any canopy with a pop-up canopy tent with weights. Winds ease enough by Monday morning to open a decent fishing window along the lakefront — restock with a bass lure variety pack first.
Cubs, Concerts, And Weekend Plans
The Chicago Cubs host the New York Yankees tonight at Wrigley Field — tailgating turns pleasant once afternoon clouds clear, just weigh down any canopy given the wind. Grab a Chicago Cubs jersey or Chicago Cubs fitted cap before first pitch, with tickets on SeatGeek or tickets on StubHub still available for tonight and the Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers series Aug. 4-5. Monday night, Ariana Grande brings The Eternal Sunshine Tour to the United Center — see our Ariana Grande tour coverage, pick up an Ariana Grande t-shirt, and find tickets on StubHub.
With winds calming by evening, it’s a solid night to grill — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. Keep an instant-read meat thermometer and grill brush and scraper set handy for easy cleanup and perfectly cooked meat. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
High pressure keeps Chicago dry from tonight through Tuesday evening, with Monday the calmest, sunniest day of the stretch. A cold front crossing the western Great Lakes brings showers and thunderstorms back late Tuesday night into Wednesday, and NWS forecasters note precipitable water values nearing 2 inches, raising the risk of heavy rain and localized flooding Wednesday into Wednesday night. For more storm-ready gear before then, browse our outdoor gear deals.
