This evening, Chicago offers clear skies but the Midwest tells a different story with severe storms on the horizon. Learn what to expect and how to prepare.

As Chicago enjoys a calm night, a potent line of storms is poised to shake up the Midwest. Experience everything from gentle breezes in Chicago to disruptive thunderstorms in St. Louis and beyond. Our detailed forecast maps out the changing skies, highlights safety tips, and prepares you for the week ahead in weather. Keep ahead of the weather curve with us!
A dynamic line of severe storms is advancing from west to east across the Midwestern U.S., with Des Moines and St. Louis experiencing intense weather conditions. Rain is widespread in the region, particularly impacting Peoria, while light rain showers are appearing near Springfield. The radar indicates that isolated thunderstorms are nearing Columbus, with cloud cover extending around Detroit and Cleveland. Clear skies persist around Bowling Green and Charleston, offering pockets of tranquility amidst the stormy backdrop.
For this evening in Chicago, anticipate partly cloudy skies at 9 PM with a temperature of 81 degrees and winds from the west at 6 mph. By 11 PM, the temperature drops to 77 degrees, and skies become mostly cloudy with a lighter westerly wind at 4 mph. As we move into the early morning, expect mostly cloudy conditions to continue with temperatures around 75 degrees and winds picking up slightly to 5 mph from the west.
Tonight, Chicago will cool down to 68 degrees, while Indianapolis sees a slightly warmer low of 70. Fort Wayne drops to 62 degrees, and Cleveland will be a bit cooler at 67. Expect a chilly night in Detroit with a low of 61 degrees, while Cincinnati stays relatively warm at 66.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, expect Kansas City to soar to a sweltering 96 degrees, with St. Louis not far behind at 97 degrees. Springfield will be warm as well, reaching 95 degrees, while Indianapolis will see highs around 85 degrees. Chicago is anticipating a more moderate 75 degrees, and Bowling Green is set for a high of 94.
A strong low-pressure system will track across the Midwest tomorrow, bringing significant weather changes. Expect widespread showers and thunderstorms stretching from Kansas City to Cleveland, with potential for isolated severe thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding, so remain weather aware. Ahead of the system, temperatures will rise into the mid-80s, but a subsequent cold front will drop temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees by Monday. Kansas City and Chicago should be prepared for impactful weather as morning rain transitions to stormy conditions by late afternoon.
The UV index in Chicago will be moderate this Saturday and Sunday with a value of 4, with a subsequent burn time of 35 minutes in direct sunlight. Although both days have the same index, be cautious with sun exposure, especially during midday.
Saturday: Isolated thunderstorms with highs of 83 degrees and lows near 70 degrees. Sunday: Partly cloudy skies expected, with a high of 75 degrees and a cooler low around 69 degrees. Monday: Another partly cloudy day with temperatures peaking at 80 degrees and dropping to 69 degrees at night. Tuesday: Mainly sunny skies bringing warmer weather, reaching 87 degrees with a low of 73 degrees. Wednesday: Clear skies are on the forecast with a daytime high soaring to 94 degrees and a nighttime low of 77 degrees. Thursday: Look for scattered thunderstorms, a high of 94 degrees, and a low around 74 degrees. Friday: Scattered thunderstorms continue. Temperatures will reach up to 85 degrees with lows at 73 degrees.