Chicago is in for a soaking Sunday, June 21 — rain showers develop by midday, thunderstorms push through tonight, and the high barely reaches 67°F. Grab your compact travel umbrella and reshape your plans around the wet weather.
Today’s Setup
A storm system pushing east out of the central Plains will spread widespread rainfall across the Chicago area from mid-late morning through this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Rain showers become likely between 11 AM and 4 PM CT, with the high near 67°F before temperatures drop back to around 60°F by mid-afternoon. ESE winds of 0 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph make it feel raw. Tonight, storms intensify with NE winds near 20 mph and gusts to 30 mph — plan to stay indoors.
Flood and Storm Risk
The Weather Prediction Center has issued a level 2 of 4 excessive rainfall risk for areas near and south of I-88. Rainfall of a half to three-quarters of an inch is expected during the day, with tonight’s thunderstorms potentially piling on another 1 to 2 inches. Watch for flooding in underpasses and low-lying areas across the south and southwest suburbs. The National Weather Service is also warning of a heightened rip current risk at southern Lake Michigan beaches from this evening through Monday night — stay out of the water. If overnight storms knock out power, the DARAN 288Wh Power Station is just $90 for Prime members and keeps your devices charged.
Cubs at Wrigley Today
If you’re heading to the Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays game at Wrigley Field today, rain probability sits at 94%. Check for delay announcements before making the trip to Wrigleyville. A packable rain jacket is a must if you brave it, and a Chicago Cubs fitted cap or Chicago Cubs jersey keeps you repping the North Siders through the drizzle. Find tickets on StubHub if you’re still deciding on game-day seats.
What to Wear and Where to Go
Skip the sandals — waterproof hiking boots and layers are the call today. The compact travel umbrella handles everything from a drizzle to a downpour. For a dry night out later this week, The Human League with Soft Cell & Alison Moyet plays The Chicago Theatre on Tuesday, June 23. On June 27, Josh Groban with Jennifer Hudson heads to Allstate Arena and America: The Happy Trails Tour 2026 lands at The Chicago Theatre the same night. Get tickets on SeatGeek for any of these shows.
Next Few Days
Monday clears out nicely: a slight chance of showers before 10 AM CT, then partly sunny skies and a high near 66°F with NNE winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 25 mph — brisk but dry. The White Sox open a home series against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field starting Monday, June 22, and conditions look much better for baseball by then. Check the Chicago weather forecast for the latest updates and browse outdoor gear deals as you plan the rest of the week.
Rainy Day Dinner
A stormy Sunday calls for something slow and hearty. Load a programmable slow cooker with chili in the morning, or simmer beef stew low and slow in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven — dinner takes care of itself while the rain falls outside. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered right to your door.
