Chicago is looking at a gorgeous Tuesday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 83°F — the calm before a soggy Wednesday rolls in. If you’ve got mowing, golf, or a trip to the lakefront on the list, today is the day to knock it out, because the National Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms return tomorrow with a real flash flood risk.
Today’s Setup
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 83°F and a light south wind at 5 to 10 mph — comfortable, low-humidity air for anyone out at Lincoln Park, the Lakefront Trail, or a Wrigleyville patio. Overnight lows sit around 66°F, actually creeping back up to near 68°F by early Wednesday under increasing clouds.
Best Window To Be Outside
All of today is solid, especially the evening for the Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game tonight at Wrigley Field — clear, mild, and ideal tailgating and rooftop-watching weather. Get moving early Wednesday too, since forecasters expect a chance of storms before 7 a.m. CT, then showers and thunderstorms likely from 7 a.m. through the afternoon.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
According to the NWS Chicago/Romeoville office, a cold front will drag through the Great Lakes on Wednesday, tapping precipitable water values near 2 inches. That means locally heavy rain and flooding concerns are the bigger worry, with a few strong to severe storms not ruled out. The Cubs host the Dodgers again Wednesday at Wrigley Field, so bring a poncho and expect possible delays. Winds Wednesday run around 5 mph out of the southwest with gusts to 15 mph — enough to rattle loose patio items, so a ratchet tie down strap kit is worth having on hand.
What To Wear Or Bring
Today: sunscreen and light layers. Tomorrow: real rain gear, not just an umbrella, given the flooding potential in the forecast discussion.
Chicago Sports & Events This Week
Beyond tonight’s and Wednesday’s Cubs-Dodgers series, the Cubs host the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, and the White Sox face the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field on Aug. 7. Grab a Chicago Cubs jersey or Chicago Cubs fitted cap before first pitch. Ariana Grande brings The Eternal Sunshine Tour to the United Center on Aug. 6 — Get tickets on SeatGeek and pair the night with an Ariana Grande t-shirt. Foo Fighters play an outdoor show at Soldier Field on Aug. 8, which should benefit from the drier stretch forecasters expect late this week. The Train concert hits Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre on Aug. 7 as well.
Tonight’s Meal
With clear skies and light wind, tonight is built for the grill — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. A propane gas grill, instant-read meat thermometer, and grill brush and scraper set make cleanup and doneness easy. For more ideas, check this tri-tip smoking guide. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
After Wednesday’s storms clear, the NWS outlook calls for seasonably warm, mostly dry weather from Thursday through the weekend — good news for outdoor plans, ballgames, and that Foo Fighters show. Longer range, a more active northwest flow pattern may bring renewed storm chances back into the Chicago area next week. For updates, bookmark the Chicago weather forecast or browse outdoor gear deals before the weekend.
