As the Midwest ushers in spring, weather patterns range from light snow in Chicago to heavy rain in Toronto. Meteorologist Amy Freeze shares insights on navigating this transitional weather.

Chicago Afternoon News – 03/20/2025 Meteorologist Amy Freeze here with your Midwest Forecast update. The first day of Spring brings partly cloudy skies with light snow in Chicago, picturesque winter remnants meeting the new season. From Toronto’s heavy rain to Kansas City’s mild skies, the Midwest showcases a tapestry of climates. This blog delves into daily forecasts, temperature swings and safety tips with detailed insights from various cities, explaining how to prepare as winter’s chill tries to hold on against spring’s warmth. In the Midwest region, we’re observing a dynamic weather pattern today. Chicago is experiencing light snowfall, which is creating picturesque scenes in and around the city. Farther east, Fort Wayne is bracing for a wintry mix, while Detroit is dealing with a more pronounced mix of rain and snow, keeping road conditions slick. Toronto is encountering heavy rain, which is stretching down into Cleveland and all the way to Columbus, making for a soggy start to the day in these areas. Rainfall extends through the central and southern portions of Ohio, moving towards Charleston. In and around Indianapolis, light rain showers are sweeping through and pushing towards Louisville and Bowling Green. The skies above Peoria and Des Moines are relatively clear, offering a brief respite from precipitation. Kansas City and Springfield remain dry, though clouds could advance later in the day.
Temperatures in Chicago this afternoon are hovering around 41 degrees with mostly sunny skies. A northwest wind is blowing at about 10 miles per hour, gradually decreasing to 5 miles per hour by early evening. As the afternoon progresses, the sun will continue shining, contributing to a bright day as we move toward cooler conditions by evening.
Let’s take a look at the regional high temperatures across the Midwest today. Chicago is on the cooler side with a high of only 42 degrees, while Peoria sits slightly higher at 44. Heading south, St. Louis will see a more mild day with a high of 50 degrees. Indianapolis matches that at 46 degrees, and further south in Louisville, temperatures reach 50 degrees as well. Kansas City is a bit warmer, peaking at 54 degrees, and Springfield comes in at 52. It’s a mix of temperatures today, with some areas feeling quite a bit chillier than others. Overall, expect a brisk day as we transition into spring!
Temperatures across the Midwest will take a noticeable dip. Des Moines will experience a brisk night with a low of 27 degrees. Chicago isn’t far behind, facing a chilly low of 33. In Peoria, expect to see temperatures drop to 33 as well. Springfield and Kansas City will each cool to 36 degrees. Fort Wayne is forecasted to reach a low of 38, while Indianapolis will cool to 42. The colder air pattern continues in Columbus at 46, and Louisville remains a bit milder at 45. This chill is a reminder that winter still has a grip on the Midwest.
Tomorrow’s high temperatures across the Midwest will showcase a mix of readings. In Kansas City, expect a warm high of 66 degrees, while Springfield also reaches 66 degrees, promoting a comfortable day. Heading east, Peoria warms up to 62 degrees, with Indianapolis slightly cooler at 57 degrees. Chicago and Des Moines will have their highs at 57 degrees as well. Louisville is forecasted to hit 59 degrees, while Bowling Green cools slightly to 60 degrees. In contrast, Fort Wayne and Cleveland will lag behind with readings of 54 degrees. Overall, these temperatures reflect a trend that is largely above average for this time of year, influenced by a warm front settling over the region.
A front brings impactful weather to the Midwest, particularly from Des Moines to Chicago by Thursday. Expect rain showers transitioning to a wintry mix as temperatures drop through Thursday evening. Detroit and Cleveland stand on alert for snow accumulation starting late Thursday and into Friday, after initial rain shifts to snow with cold air pushing in. Fort Wayne and Indianapolis to see gradual clearing with temperatures remaining brisk. Be prepared for slippery road conditions and remain weather aware.
The UV index in Chicago is moderate on Thursday with a value of 5, indicating a burn time of about 27 minutes in direct sunlight. As you plan for Friday, the UV index decreases slightly to 4, extending the burn time to 35 minutes. It’s smart to apply sunscreen and take breaks in the shade during these hours!