Catch this week’s detailed forecast for Chicago and the broader Midwest region. Amy Freeze discusses temperature trends, storm predictions, and safety tips.

In the bustling city of Chicago and across the Midwest, the weather speaks in varied tongues. This week, expect partly cloudy to stormy conditions as we track changes from sunny Chicago reaching 62°F to storm-threatened areas with potential heavy rainfalls. Join Amy Freeze as she unpacks the upcoming weather patterns, perfect for planners and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Safety tips included for impending showers and storms as we swing from sunny days to night-time thunderstorms. The Regional Radar shows scattered showers moving into Des Moines from the northwest. A more significant area of precipitation is developing across southern Illinois and Indiana, bringing steady rain to St. Louis and Springfield. Conditions in Detroit and Cleveland are cloudy, with light rain showers along their radar edges. South of Bowling Green, rain showers are intensifying, spreading northeast towards Charleston. Clear skies are seen around Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, providing a brief respite from the rain showers surrounding these areas.
This afternoon in Chicago, temperatures will start at 60 degrees at 3 PM, gradually cooling to 54 degrees by 7 PM. Expect mostly sunny skies transitioning to partly cloudy later in the afternoon. Winds will be coming from the north-northeast at 12 miles per hour, decreasing slightly to 11 miles per hour by early evening.
Today, the Midwest is embracing warm temperatures. Chicago is a cooler spot with a high of just 62 degrees, while Peoria and Fort Wayne both soar to 83 degrees. Indianapolis matches that at 84 degrees, feeling quite toasty for this time of year. Kansas City and Springfield also share the warmth at 80 degrees, creating a pleasant atmosphere for outdoor activities. Louisville reaches a comfortable 79 degrees, while further east, Columbus enjoys a high of 84.
Des Moines will drop to 43 degrees, while Chicago is expected to see a low of 42. Indianapolis and Fort Wayne will both hover around 47 degrees, and the temperature in Peoria will cool to 48. Kansas City will feel a bit warmer at 52 degrees, but Springfield is looking at a low of 55.
Indianapolis and Peoria both expect highs of 84 degrees, while St. Louis will also warm up to the same temperature. Louisville is looking at a high of 80, with Kansas City reaching 77 degrees. Chicago, however, will remain cooler at 63 degrees, but still better than the frigid temperatures experienced earlier in the week.
A band of showers and thunderstorms is set to sweep across the Midwest, starting tonight, with the focus between Kansas City and Indianapolis. Expect some storms to intensify, bringing the risk of damaging winds and heavy rain, especially overnight into tomorrow morning. The cold front is moving eastward, meaning cooler temperatures will follow, particularly noticeable by late Thursday. Rainfall totals could exceed an inch in some areas, potentially causing localized flooding.
The UV index in Chicago will be high on Thursday, reaching a level of 7 with a burn time of about 20 minutes in direct sunlight. Ensure you’re covered with sunscreen and protective gear if you’ll be outdoors for an extended period. On Friday, expect more cloud cover with a UV index decrease to 6, slightly easing the exposure risk. With showers anticipated, the burn time extends to about 23 minutes; keep an umbrella handy!