Meteorologist Amy Freeze delivers insights into Chicago’s sunny afternoon and the stormy conditions affecting the Midwest. Learn about the expected weather changes and stay prepared!

Hello, Chicago and Midwest residents! It’s Amy Freeze here with your detailed weather forecast. Expect a mix of sun and storms across our region this week. While Chicago enjoys a bright afternoon, severe weather threats loom nearby. This post covers high and low temperatures, storm predictions, and safety tips for upcoming weather changes. Dive deeper into each day’s forecast and understand how a looming cold front might affect your area. Remember, weather can change quickly, so stay updated and prepared! The Midwest radar shows a widespread area of active weather. Severe thunderstorms are currently impacting the region near Bowling Green and Louisville, moving eastward. In the northern areas, including Sagina and Detroit, rain accompanied by some gusty winds is observed. Chicago is experiencing a cloudy sky with showers just to the north and east, stretching towards Fort Wayne. Cleveland is seeing heavier precipitation, with rain sweeping across northern Ohio, pushing towards the east.
In Chicago, enjoy a sunny afternoon with temperatures beginning at 84 degrees. Winds will be coming from the south at 18 miles per hour. By 6 PM, temperatures will dip slightly to 83 degrees, with a south-southwest wind picking up to 20 miles per hour. As we move into the evening, scattered thunderstorms could arrive, with temperatures decreasing to 79 degrees by 8 PM and winds easing to 17 miles per hour.
Today’s high temperatures in the Midwest are quite impressive. St. Louis heats up to 87 degrees, while Peoria reaches an even warmer 88. Chicago enjoys a mild day with a high of 86. Farther south, Kansas City sees a comfortable 83 degrees. In Indiana, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis both hit 84 and 83 respectively, offering a pleasant afternoon. Cleveland is on the cooler side at 77 degrees, showcasing a temperature contrast across the region.
Low temperatures tonight across the Midwest are expected to drop significantly, with Des Moines at 43 degrees. Chicago will see a low of 52, while Indianapolis cools to 50. Fort Wayne is forecasted to reach 48 degrees, and Peoria will be even cooler at 48 as well. Expect temperatures to dip to 49 in Saginaw and 56 in Cleveland, marking notable drops in these areas.
High temperatures in the Midwest tomorrow are expected to trend above average, with many areas experiencing a warm-up. Chicago and Des Moines are looking at highs around 66 degrees, while Indianapolis will be slightly cooler at 69 degrees. St. Louis and Kansas City both have forecasted highs of 77 degrees. Louisville is expected to reach 77 as well, and Bowling Green will be notably warm at 85 degrees.
A cold front is set to sweep through the Midwest tomorrow, ushering in strong storms from Bowling Green to Fort Wayne. Expect heavy rain and the potential for damaging winds, with the greatest storm intensity likely in the late afternoon. Chicago and Indianapolis should be prepared for rain showers, though severe weather will mainly target areas further southeast. The region from St. Louis to Cleveland will experience cooler temperatures post-front, with clearing skies by late Wednesday.
The UV index in Chicago is high today at 8, with a burn time of just 17 minutes. Make sure to apply sunscreen regularly if you’re outside. On Saturday, cloud cover will reduce the UV index to 5, with a burn time increasing to 27 minutes.