Expect a heated forecast across the Midwest with thunderstorms on the horizon. Check out our comprehensive guide for weather patterns from Chicago to Kansas City.

Welcome to your definitive guide to Midwest weather. This week, we’re seeing a mix of temperatures and conditions, with everything from clear skies to potential thunderstorms. In cities like Indianapolis and Louisville, temperatures are spiking, while Chicago enjoys balmy nights. A cold front is approaching, promising rains and cooler temperatures. Ensure you’re prepared for sudden weather changes and potential weekend disruptions due to thunderstorms. Stay safe and informed with our in-depth analysis.
On the regional radar, a rain system is pushing eastward from Kansas City toward St. Louis, bringing moderate showers. Springfield is also experiencing heavy rain showers this morning as they move northeast. While areas such as Bowling Green and Detroit remain dry, rain activity is developing in southern Illinois and inching towards Indianapolis. The northern regions like Saginaw are seeing minimal cloud cover, with clear conditions maintained further north.
For this evening in Chicago, temperatures will gradually decrease, starting at 79 degrees at 9 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and winds from the SSE at 4 mph. By 11 PM, look for partly cloudy conditions with a temperature of 75 degrees and a light northeast breeze at 3 mph. As we move into the midnight hour, skies clear up as temperatures dip to 72 degrees with calm winds.
Tonight in the Midwest, temperatures will remain relatively warm for July, with Des Moines at 68 degrees. Kansas City is expected to cool to 71, while St. Louis will settle at 72 degrees. Indianapolis will see a low of 71 degrees, and Chicago will drop to 70. Expect a mild night across the region, with lows generally between the upper 60s and low 70s.
Tomorrow, Kansas City is heating up to a sizzling 91 degrees, leading the Midwest. In St. Louis, expect a warm high of 87, while Peoria will align closely at 88 degrees. Chicago and Fort Wayne are forecasting highs of 87 degrees, showing consistent warmth across the area. Indianapolis will sit at a slightly cooler 84 degrees, but overall, these temperatures are trending above average for this time of year.
A developing weather pattern brings thunderstorms to the Midwest overnight, reaching areas like Indianapolis and Louisville by Sunday morning. A cold front is progressing southeast, bringing heavy rain and potential severe thunderstorms, especially around Indianapolis and Springfield. Be cautious of possible flooding, as rain may exceed an inch in spots. Following the front, expect temperatures to drop by around 10 degrees, bringing cooler, drier conditions into early next week. Make sure you have your rain gear ready for the weekend activities!
The UV index in Chicago on Sunday is a high 7, with a burn time of approximately 20 minutes in direct sunlight. Looking ahead to Monday, the index climbs to a very high 9, reducing the burn time to just 15 minutes.
For the 7-day outlook in Chicago: Sunday: Partly cloudy skies with a high of 84 degrees and a low of 68 degrees. Monday: Mostly clear conditions, temperatures reach up to 88 degrees and dip to 70 degrees at night. Tuesday: Enjoy partly cloudy weather with a high peaking at 89 degrees, cooling down to 74 degrees overnight. Wednesday: Thunderstorms roll in with a high of 88 degrees during the day and a low of 72 degrees. Thursday: Thunderstorms are expected early, cooling down to a high of 79 degrees and a low of 66 degrees. Friday: It will be partly cloudy with daytime highs around 78 degrees and lows around 68 degrees. Saturday: Expect showers with a high of 83 degrees and a nighttime low of 71 degrees.