Catch up on the latest Midwest weather trends with Amy Freeze. From Chicago’s cloudy afternoons to thunderstorms across the region, stay informed and ready!

Hello there! Meteorologist Amy Freeze here with a comprehensive look at our Midwest weather as we step into April. Chicagoans will experience varying temperatures and cloudy skies, with a regional front promising mixed weather, including potential storms. We’ll dive into daily forecasts, explore city-specific conditions, and offer safety tips for upcoming weather changes. Stay prepared and informed with our detailed analyses and expert insights. On the Regional Radar, it’s an active April First in the Midwest! A band of mixed precipitation, including snow, is creeping southward just west of Des Moines. This mix transitions into snow across areas in northern and western Iowa. Kansas City is remaining dry for now, but keep an eye on the horizon as precipitation edges closer. In St. Louis, conditions are quiet, allowing for a calm morning. However, those clouds in the west may bring changes later. Chicago enjoys calm skies, though farther west, a storm system looms. Peoria is seeing similar clear conditions with a gentle breeze swaying through. Detroit and Cleveland bask under clear skies, providing a perfect window for any planned errands or outdoor activities today. Fort Wayne and Indianapolis enjoy mild conditions, but over Bowling Green, clouds are softly gathering. Louisville and Columbus are holding onto their clear conditions, as are Saginaw and Charleston.
Chicago’s afternoon forecast calls for cloudy conditions with temperatures starting at 42 degrees at 3 PM, increasing slightly to 43 degrees by 5 PM, and reaching 44 degrees at 7 PM. Expect east winds around 12 miles per hour earlier, becoming more noticeable at 14 miles per hour as the afternoon progresses.
Let’s dive into today’s regional high temperatures across the Midwest. In the northern part of the region, Chicago is feeling quite cool with a high of only 44 degrees, while Indianapolis stays a bit warmer at 56. Moving to the central Midwest, Kansas City stands out with a pleasant high of 64 degrees, and Springfield warms up nicely to 66. To the south, Louisville is enjoying mild temperatures at 60 degrees and Bowling Green reaches a comfortable 65.
Tonight in the Midwest, we’re seeing some chilly temperatures as a cold front sweeps through the region. Expect a low of 36 degrees in Des Moines, and a cooler 43 in Chicago. Kansas City will dip to 47, while Peoria will see a low of 46. In Indianapolis, the temperature will drop to around 56 degrees. St. Louis will be slightly warmer at 52.
High temperatures across the Midwest tomorrow are set to soar above average for this time of year, influenced by a warm air mass moving into the region. Peoria will warm up to 74 degrees. St. Louis is looking at a pleasant 76 degrees. Further south, Indianapolis reaches 77 degrees, and Louisville will see a high of 83 degrees. Bowling Green is poised to hit an impressive 84 degrees, making it one of the warmest spots in the Midwest. On the cooler side, Detroit will only manage 53 degrees, highlighting the temperature contrast across the region.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, expect an active weather day as a front pushes through. Showers and thunderstorms will advance from Des Moines toward Peoria and Chicago by the afternoon. Some storms could bring heavy rain and strong gusts, so stay alert for weather warnings. Moving eastward, notice the rain showers progressing into Fort Wayne and Indianapolis by evening, bringing possible brief but intense downpours.
In Chicago, the UV index will be moderate today with a value of 4, suggesting a burn time of approximately 35 minutes if you’re in direct sunlight. Tomorrow, the UV index drops to a low level of 2, as a storm system will help block harmful rays.