Chicagoans are in for a week of mild temperatures and sporadic rainfall as the National Weather Service forecasts a mixture of sun, showers, and potential thunderstorms. According to today's bulletin from the National Weather Service, the city will see a high near 69 degrees with a breeze from the west turning south in the afternoon. However, tonight’s skies are expected to grow increasingly cloudy, followed by a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
The forecast suggests a predominantly sunny Wednesday with highs near 73 degrees, though the winds could get gusty, reaching up to 20 mph. As the week progresses, Chicago will continue to grapple with the threat of precipitation. The Hazardous Weather Outlook stresses a "limited thunderstorm risk" Wednesday through Monday, alongside an "elevated flooding risk" for Thursday, which could potentially lead to local flooding in some areas.
Thursday’s weather could particularly prove to be more tumultuous, with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms both during the day and night, suggesting an 80 percent likelihood of precipitation at night. Come Friday, chances dip slightly to 50 percent for storms and showers amongst mostly cloudy skies.
In the meantime, weekend forecasts predict a respite with mostly sunny conditions and highs averaging around 68 degrees. Yet the reprieve appears short-lived, as the potential for rain lurks again heading into next week. According to a post by the NWS Chicago on X, the "best opportunity for precipitation looks to be Thursday through Friday morning," an assertion that aligns consistently with the overarching weather narrative for the week.
Mild temperatures continue this week along with periodic shower and thunderstorm chances. The best opportunity for precipitation looks to be Thursday through Friday morning. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/XahtG5Ar8v
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 30, 2024
Boaters are advised to also take heed, as the National Weather Service has outlined a "limited thunderstorm risk" for Illinois and Indiana nearshore waters of Lake Michigan through Monday. Chicago’s typically unpredictable weather holds this week, with residents advised to keep umbrellas at the ready for the intermittent showers and thunderstorms that stand to punctuate an otherwise temperate last stretch of April and start to May.
