Chicago weather today is shaping up to be warm, breezy, and dry through the afternoon—with highs near 80°F—but a cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms late tonight into Friday.
Today: Make the Most of the Warmth
Early this morning, you might spot some patchy fog near the lakefront and around parts of northwest Indiana, but it’ll burn off before mid-morning as temperatures climb quickly after sunrise. Expect mostly sunny skies and south winds at 5 to 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph by afternoon. It’s a great day to get outside—whether that’s grabbing lunch at a Millennium Park café, walking the Lakefront Trail, or heading to Soldier Field for the Bears Draft Party tonight. Just grab a light jacket for the breeze.
If you’ve been dealing with spring allergies, today’s warm, dry conditions might feel like a relief, though the wind could kick up some pollen. Consider keeping an allergy relief nasal spray or Zyrtec 24 hour allergy 90 count on hand, and if you’re sensitive, a pollen count face mask can help during peak afternoon hours.
Tonight Into Friday: Storms Arrive
Here’s where things change. A cold front tied to a deep surface low over Saskatchewan will push into the Midwest this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service expects showers and thunderstorms to develop late tonight—between 2 AM and 4 AM CT—and continue through Friday morning, with the heaviest activity likely between 2 AM and 4 AM. Friday itself will see showers and thunderstorms likely throughout the day, with a 70% chance of precipitation and highs only around 71°F.
Rainfall amounts should be modest—between a tenth and quarter inch—so flash flooding isn’t expected to be widespread, though some isolated pockets could see heavier rates. If you’re heading to any of this week’s big events—like Hamilton (Chicago) at CIBC Theatre on Friday, or the Chicago White Sox vs. Washington Nationals game Friday at Rate Field—bring an umbrella and plan for wet conditions. For outdoor activities like the Chicago Fire FC vs. Sporting Kansas City (Pennant to 1st 5K) at Soldier Field on Saturday, that event should be dry and pleasant with seasonable conditions.
Heading to the Lewis Capaldi concert at United Center on Saturday or catching Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at United Center next Wednesday? Both should see clear, nice weather. Grab a Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band t-shirt to commemorate the Boss’s visit to Chicago.
The Weekend & Beyond
Good news: Saturday and Sunday look seasonable and dry. Perfect timing to tackle spring yard work or take a stroll through Lincoln Park or the 606 Trail. If you’ve been putting off lawn maintenance, grab some lawn fertilizer spring and get your grass ready for the growing season. Monday brings shower and thunderstorm chances again, so enjoy the dry weekend while it lasts.
Dinner Idea
With storms rolling in tonight, a warm, comforting meal is just the thing. Consider a hearty pasta with marinara or a quick stir-fry that you can prep now and reheat later if the weather gets rough. You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door—pick up some Amazon Fresh groceries and grab your favorite pasta sauce or stir-fry essentials.
