Chicago Weather Today: Storms Clear Out, Then Sunny And 85°F
Chicago is starting Tuesday under lingering storms, but skies clear to mostly sunny with a high near 85°F before temperatures ease back to around 80°F in the afternoon. Get outdoor plans in once the morning rain moves out, because a cold front tonight kicks off a cooler stretch that lasts into Wednesday night.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville says a strong cold front is sweeping across the area today, riding in on a potent upper-level jet streak. Overnight into early Tuesday, forecasters flagged a 30% chance of a severe storm with damaging hail as the main threat before daybreak. Once that clears, expect scattered showers and storms lingering before 7 AM CT, then a swing to mostly sunny skies for the rest of the day.
Best Window To Be Outside
Mid-morning through mid-afternoon is your sweet spot today, after the early storms exit and before the wind picks up. West-northwest wind runs around 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph Tuesday afternoon, then shifts north at 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph overnight as more scattered showers move through between 7 PM and 1 AM CT. Wednesday brings the nicest stretch: mostly sunny and cooler with a high near 69°F, solid for yard work or a walk along the lakefront.
Storm And Wind Risk
Beyond the early hail threat, the NWS is also warning that large waves will make swimming dangerous along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline, from Hyde Park down through South Shore, this evening through early Thursday. Stay out of the water and off breakwalls if you’re near the lakefront through midweek.
What To Wear Or Bring
A packable rain jacket or compact travel umbrella will earn its keep for the morning commute, and gusty winds mean securing anything loose on patios or balconies. Once Wednesday’s cooler, breezier air rolls in, layer up for evening plans — that high near 69°F feels more like fall than late July.
Gameday, Concerts, And Dinner Plans
KALEO with Dawes plays The Salt Shed Indoors tonight, so indoor plans are a safe bet if the evening showers linger. Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs host the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field under that cooler, mostly sunny sky — good tailgating weather if you bundle a bit. Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub, and gear up in a Chicago Cubs jersey or Chicago Cubs fitted cap. Also Wednesday, RUSH: Fifty Something hits United Center.
With rain in the forecast, tonight is a good night for slow-cooked comfort food — a pot of chili or beef stew simmering while the storms roll through. A programmable slow cooker or enameled cast iron Dutch oven makes it easy. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Once the wind settles Wednesday, it’s a good day to knock out the lawn before the weekend — check out the EGO Power+ Battery Deal if your mower’s battery needs a refresh.
Next Few Days
Expect the cooler pattern to hold through Wednesday night before the NWS says temperatures trend warmer and more seasonable toward the weekend — good news for outdoor plans around Thursday’s Cubs-Tigers finale and the string of concerts hitting United Center and Rate Field later in the week.
