Today in Chicago, enjoy the high-spirited skies before the storm with Amy Freeze’s exclusive weather insights. From sunny to stormy, know it all in one place!

As the Midwest encounters an active weather pattern, Chicago enjoys a brief moment of calm under partly cloudy skies. Meteorologist Amy Freeze outlines the weather changes happening in the region, with detailed forecasts of temperatures and storm timings. From afternoon highs in Chicago to severe storm alerts in Des Moines and Louisville’s consistent climb, stay informed and prepared with our detailed guide.The Midwest region is currently experiencing active weather, with a line of storms sweeping across the area. Heavy rain and potential severe thunderstorms are approaching Des Moines from the west, moving towards Kansas City. Showers extend into Springfield, bringing in some wet conditions. Chicago and Fort Wayne are under clear skies for now, but they should prepare for rain as the storms continue to advance eastward. Cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis remain relatively calm with no precipitation expected immediately.
Expect a warm afternoon in Chicago with temperatures reaching up to 87 degrees. Winds will be from the south-southwest at 23 miles per hour, bringing a breezy feel. Cloudy skies persist through 6 PM, with temperatures slightly cooling to 82 degrees and winds decreasing to 19 miles per hour. By 8 PM, temperatures hold steady at 83 degrees with continued cloud cover and lighter winds at 14 miles per hour.
Today’s regional high temperatures in the Midwest are on the rise. Chicago is expected to hit 88 degrees, while Indianapolis reaches a warm 89. St. Louis is also seeing notable warmth, with a high of 89 degrees. In the southern parts of the region, Louisville leads the pack at 90 degrees, closely followed by Bowling Green at 89. Kansas City sits a bit cooler at 78, and Peoria is at 82. Cleveland goes for 81 degrees.
Tonight Chicago will see a low of 53 degrees, while Peoria and Fort Wayne are expected to dip to 57 and 63 degrees, respectively. Indianapolis is forecasted for a mild low of 67, but further south in Louisville, it will be slightly warmer at 69. Expect mild spot to be in Cleveland with a cool 61 degrees.
Tomorrow Louisville will soar to 89 degrees, while Bowling Green is set to reach a hot 90 degrees. Indianapolis is expected to see a high of 85, and Columbus will hit 88 degrees. In contrast, Chicago will remain cooler at 68 degrees, reflecting a significant temperature gradient across the region. Expect a mix of sunshine and some cloud cover, but generally clear conditions will allow for these warm highs.
A line of strong thunderstorms will push through the Midwest, starting in Des Moines and advancing toward Chicago by late Tuesday evening. Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected, with potential flash flooding in low-lying areas. Thunderstorms are likely to reach Indianapolis by early Wednesday morning. Expect temperatures to dip slightly behind this front. Severe weather risks include localized hail and isolated tornado potential, primarily in Illinois as the front intensifies.
Today in Chicago, the UV index is high with a value of 8, meaning the sun’s rays are strong, and you could burn in about 17 minutes without protection. Tomorrow, the UV index drops to 4 due to a storm system, making the rays less intense and UV exposure risks lower.