Experience the variations in Chicago’s atmosphere with meteorologist Amy Freeze. From cool breezes to scattered showers, understand what’s happening in the Midwest weather this week.

The Midwest is setting up for a mix of weather patterns with meteorologist Amy Freeze at the helm. Today’s forecast in Chicago shows partly cloudy skies with a gentle breeze, making way for broader regional showers. Tonight, expect a cool-down with cloudy skies and occasional rain. The upcoming days promise a mix of conditions, from thunderstorms to clearer skies. Read on for a detailed 7-day forecast for Chicago, and tips for staying prepared regardless of the weather. Visit https://amyfreeze.ai/ for continuous updates. On the Regional Radar, a significant rain system is pushing eastward across the Midwest. Expect steady rainfall over Des Moines, with heavier rainfall intensifying as it moves toward St. Louis. Kansas City to Springfield and Columbia, Missouri, are currently experiencing widespread precipitation. Chicago is seeing incoming cloud cover with rain expected soon, and Peoria is in the path of the heaviest showers heading its way. Farther east, rain showers have reached as far as Bowling Green, with more scattered showers tapering out farther into the region. Meanwhile, cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are just starting to see cloud cover as the rain approaches. For northern areas like Detroit and Cleveland, conditions remain relatively clear for now, but expect clouds to increase as the system moves in.
In Chicago this afternoon, expect mostly cloudy skies with temperatures gradually decreasing from 55 degrees at 3 PM to 53 degrees by 7 PM. Winds will be from the south, around 10 miles per hour, calming slightly to 8 miles per hour as the evening approaches.
Let’s take a look at the afternoon high temperatures across the Midwest today. Kansas City and Springfield are feeling quite warm, both reaching up to 81 degrees. Meanwhile, Peoria comes in a bit cooler at 57 degrees. Chicago is seeing a high of 55, while further south, Indianapolis warms up to 58 degrees. Fort Wayne is a bit milder, with highs around 60, while Louisville reaches 62. In contrast, areas like Columbus see a pleasant 63 degrees.
Tonight, the Midwest is facing a cool-down as low temperatures settle in. Chicago will dip to 52 degrees, while Fort Wayne sees a low of 59. In Indianapolis, expect temperatures around 60. Peoria and Springfield will be close behind, both hitting 59 degrees. Kansas City stays slightly warmer at 60 degrees.
High temperatures across the Midwest tomorrow are shaping up to be significantly above average for this time of year. Over in Kansas City, expect temperatures around 78 degrees. St. Louis isn’t far behind, hitting 81 degrees as well, while Peoria warms up to 79 degrees. Indianapolis will see a pleasant 77 degrees. Chicago reports a high of 74 degrees, and Columbus is looking at a comfortable 72 degrees. However, the northern parts of the region, like Detroit, will be cooler at 63 degrees.
“A cold front progresses eastward, impacting Indianapolis with potential for scattered thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain late Thursday. Louisville and Columbus should prepare for strong winds and isolated storms, especially in the afternoon. Springfield and St. Louis can expect moderate rain, reducing later into the day. As the front pushes farther east, cooler and more mild conditions will prevail across the Midwest by Friday, with a drop in temperatures and drier skies heading into the weekend.”
The UV index in Chicago today is low at 2, and will not be significant due to the storm system blocking harmful rays. Tomorrow, expect a moderate UV index of 4.