Meteorologist Amy Freeze brings us the latest on Midwest weather conditions, with a special focus on the Chicago area. Expect a mix of cloudy skies, chilly evening breezes, and a brief walkthrough of regional forecasts!

As we venture into the heart of spring, Chicago’s weather offers a mixed bag with partly cloudy skies and crisp evening breezes. Meteorologist Amy Freeze breaks down the regional radar activity, including upcoming showers across Missouri and a cool down towards the Great Lakes. Read more about temperature variations from Peoria to Kansas City and discover how to prepare for the fluctuating Midwest spring weather.
A quick look at the Regional Radar shows showers pushing eastward across Missouri, from Kansas City towards St. Louis. Farther north, Des Moines is currently rain-free but expecting clouds to increase as the day progresses. To the east, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis are under mostly cloudy skies with rain showers anticipated later. A developing storm system is bringing rain to Springfield with light precipitation moving towards Bowling Green. The Great Lakes region, including Cleveland and Detroit, remains generally dry for now.
Cloudy skies dominate the evening forecast in Chicago. Temperatures will settle into the 50-degree range at 9 PM, drifting down to 49 degrees by 11 PM and 1 AM. Expect winds from the north at 13 to 15 knots.
Low temperatures tonight in the Midwest are leaning toward the chilly side. Expect a brisk 36 degrees in Saginaw and 40 in Detroit. Chicago will drop to 42, while Indianapolis is forecasted to hit 44 degrees. In contrast, Louisville will be slightly warmer at 49, and Kansas City will see a low of 53.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, expect some warm highs across the region, significantly above average. Des Moines and Kansas City are both headed for 74 degrees, while St. Louis will reach 69. Chicago will see a cooler 56 degrees, influenced by lingering cloud cover. Indianapolis and Columbus will enjoy highs around 70, and Louisville will climb to a pleasant 73. Charleston, West Virginia will lead the pack with a high of 77 degrees.
In the Midwest, expect a wave of showers and storms moving through from the southwest, impacting areas from Kansas City to St. Louis and into Indianapolis. Watch for possible isolated severe storms with heavy rain and gusty winds through the evening hours. As the system progresses east, cities like Columbus and Louisville will see increased rain activity by afternoon. Temperatures remain mild, but cooler air will follow the passage of this system, leading to drier and cooler conditions by Thursday. Be mindful of localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and regions with heavier rainfall.
The UV index in Chicago is moderate today with a level of 6, indicating a burn time of about 23 minutes in direct sunlight. As we move into tomorrow, expect a high UV index of 8, with a quicker burn time of 17 minutes.
For the 7 day forecast in Chicago: Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 68 degrees and a low of 48. Thursday: Clear skies, temperatures drop, reaching a high of 57 and a low of 42. Friday: Still clear, with a slight warm-up to 62 degrees, cooling to 45 at night. Saturday: Expect clear skies and warmer conditions, with a high of 73 and low of 48. Sunday: Mostly clear throughout the day, peaking at 74 degrees and dipping to 57 overnight. Monday: A warmer day with partly clear skies, a high of 77 degrees and a low of 60. Tuesday: Partly cloudy, temperatures easing to a high of 74 and a low of 61.