Chicago is in for a warm but unsettled Tuesday, with temperatures near 78°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms rolling through the day. If you have outdoor plans — especially at Wrigley Field — here’s exactly what to expect and when to dodge the wet stuff.
Today’s Setup
A cold front pushing east is keeping things active. The National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville office notes that storm chances increase again this afternoon, mainly southeast of a Peru, IL to Valparaiso, IN line — placing much of the Chicago metro squarely in the watch zone. The highest storm activity is expected before 1 PM CT and again in the mid-afternoon. West-southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph will add a blustery feel even between showers, and temperatures that peak near 78°F will slip to around 74°F by late afternoon once the front pushes through.
Best Window To Be Outside
Mid-morning is your cleanest opportunity. If you can knock out a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk or Lincoln Park before noon CT, you’ll be ahead of the afternoon storm uptick. Tonight clears out nicely — partly cloudy with a low near 50°F and lighter north-northwesterly winds at 10 to 15 mph.
Rain and Wind Risk
The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall for portions of southern Illinois and Indiana — close enough to keep the radar app handy all day. Toss a compact travel umbrella in your bag and pull on a packable rain jacket before heading to any outdoor venue. If you’re logging serious steps on the pavement, waterproof hiking boots will keep your feet dry through the puddles.
Cubs at Wrigley — Game Conditions Today and Wednesday
The Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field today, May 19, and storm timing makes a delay possible in the afternoon hours. Layer up smart: a Chicago Cubs fitted cap is great until the gusts hit 30 mph, so pair it with a Chicago Cubs jersey over a long-sleeve base layer. Need seats? Find tickets on StubHub or Get tickets on SeatGeek. Wednesday’s rematch at Wrigley looks dramatically drier — near 53°F and mostly sunny — arguably the better game-day of the two if you have flexibility.
Also tonight: the Chicago Wolves play Home Game 3 of the Division Finals at Allstate Arena. That one’s indoors, so no weather worries — just bring your energy.
What To Wear or Bring
- A packable rain jacket — folds flat and lives in any bag
- A compact travel umbrella for downtown and transit stops
- Layers: it hits 78°F but dips to near 74°F with wind chill later
Tonight’s Dinner
A blustery, rainy Tuesday is textbook slow-cooker weather. Load up a programmable slow cooker with chili or beef stew in the morning and dinner’s done when you walk in. Prefer stovetop? An enameled cast iron Dutch oven turns out a beautiful pot of soup with minimal fuss. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Wednesday brings a sharp drop to near 53°F with mostly sunny skies — great weather for outdoor lunch or a round of golf (the Callaway Big Bertha 23 Fairway Wood deal is worth a look if you’re eyeing new equipment). Thursday through the weekend sees intermittent storm chances creep back in. If you’re planning for the Sueños Festival at Grant Park on May 24, watch our dedicated coverage as that weekend approaches — it’s a big outdoor event worth tracking closely. The National Weather Service expects a return of warmer weather by Memorial Day.
For the latest updates, bookmark the Chicago weather forecast.
