Explore the dynamics of Midwest’s spring weather with Meteorologist Amy Freeze as she delves into the latest severe weather alerts and what this means for your week ahead.

Hello, Chicago and Midwest residents! Amy Freeze here with an in-depth look at your local weather. This week, we’re facing a host of weather activities, from severe thunderstorms to cool temperature swings. Learn all about the forecasted conditions, safety preparations, and what these changes mean for your daily plans. Dive deeper into our comprehensive weather analysis on our blog at https://amyfreeze.ai/ In the Midwest region, the radar shows a diverse weather scenario. Be prepared for severe weather today. Check in with the latest alerts from the Storm Prediction Center for detailed threats from these storms. A more intense band of rain with embedded thunderstorms is positioned farther east, stretching from Chicago through Indianapolis and nearing Columbus. The precipitation here is consistent and moving in a generally eastward direction, which will bring rain to these urban areas throughout the day. Fort Wayne and Bowling Green are experiencing more isolated Strong showers are impacting areas including Detroit and extending into Cleveland. In St. Louis and Springfield, skies are relatively clear. Charleston further southeast is beginning to see increasing clouds which could lead to rain showers moving into the area soon.
This afternoon in Chicago, expect scattered thunderstorms around 66 degrees at 3 PM, transitioning to a few showers and wind at 63 degrees by 5 PM. Winds from the southwest will reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour. By 7 PM, conditions will be cloudy with temperatures dropping to 57 degrees, and winds shifting west-southwest at 15 miles per hour.
Today in the Midwest, we’re seeing a variety of high temperatures across the region. Kansas City struggles to warm up, reaching only 49 degrees, while Springfield manages to hit a slightly more comfortable 65. As we move east, St. Louis sees a high of 70, perfect for outdoor activities. Indianapolis matches this with a pleasant 70, and Peoria warms up to 67 degrees. Heading farther east, Fort Wayne also reports a high of 70, while Chicago enjoys a comfortable 67. The daytime heating could lead to storms so be heads up! In the southern areas, Louisville shines at 73 degrees, and Bowling Green is even warmer with a high of 74 degrees. Charleston closes out the day with 76 degrees.
Now for the low temperatures, the Midwest is bracing for a chilly night ahead. Expect a cold 33 degrees in Des Moines. Chicago will also see a low of 33 degrees, while Peoria registers the same. Indianapolis is forecasted to drop to 32 degrees, and further south, Louisville will experience a low of 37. Fort Wayne will plummet to 28 degrees. Over in Cleveland, expect the thermometer to read 35 degrees
Tomorrow’s high temperatures across the Midwest are looking relatively cool for this time of year, with many cities experiencing below-average readings behind the cold front.. In Indianapolis, expect a chilly 44 degrees. Fort Wayne is slightly warmer at 44 degrees as well. St. Louis will have a high of 51 degrees, while Kansas City warms up to 56 degrees. Peoria is forecasted to reach 52 degrees. Bowling Green stands out with a higher temperature of 57 degrees, and Louisville closely follows at 54 degrees. Charleston will get a nice boost, hitting 67 degrees.
On the futurecast, the Midwest is set for an active weather pattern from Sunday night into Monday. A strong cold front, stretching from Saginaw through Detroit and down to Louisville, will sweep eastward, bringing a line of strong to severe storms. Expect heavy downpours and potentially damaging winds, especially in areas from Fort Wayne to Columbus. Rain accumulations could pose flood risks in low-lying areas. Behind the front, temperatures will cool by 10 degrees with drying conditions expected by Monday evening. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather and heed any severe weather warnings through the next day.
The UV index in Chicago is low today with a value of 3, and storms are expected to reduce exposure, offering some natural protection from harmful rays. On the next day, as skies clear, the UV index rises to a moderate 5, with a burn time of about 27 minutes in direct sunlight.