This week in Chicago, brace yourself for a medley of weather patterns, from calming clouds to thrilling thunderstorms!

Chicago’s weather landscape is ever-changing this summer! As we navigate through a week filled with scattered clouds, thunderstorms, and unexpected sunshine, our detailed analysis will help you stay prepared. From soaring temperatures in the Midwest to cooling rain showers, every Chicagoan needs to be updated. Don’t miss out on day-to-day forecasts, UV index changes, and weather tips. A strong line of thunderstorms is pushing eastward from Kansas City towards St. Louis, bringing heavy rain and possible severe conditions. Springfield is also experiencing rain showers as remnants drift from the southwest. Peoria and Fort Wayne are seeing scattered rain, though not as intense as further west. Clear skies dominate the upper Midwest, with areas like Saginaw and Detroit currently dry.
Chicago is experiencing cloudy skies with temperatures around 70 degrees this afternoon, accompanied by a northeast wind at 12 miles per hour. Moving towards evening, expect mostly cloudy conditions with temperature dipping slightly to 69 degrees and winds picking up to 13 miles per hour from the northeast. By 8 PM, skies will remain mostly cloudy, temperatures will settle at 68 degrees, and winds will ease to 11 miles per hour from the same direction.
Today, the Midwest is experiencing a warm day, with highs reaching 90 degrees in Bowling Green and 86 in St. Louis. Indianapolis and Columbus are not far behind, both forecasting highs of 84 and 86 degrees respectively. The cooler spots include Chicago at 72 degrees and Des Moines topping out at 74. Interestingly, there’s a notable contrast in temperatures across the region, with many areas feeling summer-like warmth while others remain relatively mild.
Tonight, low temperatures in the Midwest will be quite mild, with Kansas City sitting at 77 degrees. St. Louis will cool down to 73, while Peoria expects a low of 72 degrees. In the northern tier, Chicago will dip to 70 degrees, and Indianapolis will settle at 72. Expect a slightly cooler night in Fort Wayne with a low of 68.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, Kansas City will see a high of 88 degrees, while Springfield heats up to a sizzling 90 degrees. Peoria is expected to reach 82 degrees, with Indianapolis close behind at 85. Chicago will enjoy a pleasant 79 degrees, and Louisville will warm to 86. These temperatures are above average for the region, driven by persistent warm air moving in from the south.
A cold front is moving through the Midwest with showers and thunderstorms from St. Louis to Indianapolis tomorrow. Expect heavy rainfall, especially in these areas, which could lead to localized flooding, so stay weather aware. Cooler air follows the front, bringing a drop in temperatures across the region into Friday. Keep an eye on the skies if traveling from Indianapolis to Louisville as rain is expected during commute hours. The system’s passage will leave behind clearer skies and relief from recent humidity as we head into the weekend.
The UV index in Chicago will reach 6 on Thursday, offering a moderate exposure level with a burn time of about 23 minutes in direct sunlight. By Friday, the index climbs to a high 9, significantly increasing sun exposure risks with a burn time of just 15 minutes.