Discover the varied weather patterns sweeping across the Midwest this spring with insights from meteorologist Amy Freeze. From serene sun to stormy showers, stay prepared.

Greetings to our weather-savvy readers! In today’s blog, we dive into the unexpected swings of Midwest spring weather. Join Amy Freeze as she outlines the essentials of the current weather landscape—from the sunny highs in Kansas City to the cool whispers of wind in Chicago and the looming storms on the horizon. Followed by safety assessments and practical tips for navigating sudden changes, this post is your ultimate guide to spring in the Midwest. Read more here: https://amyfreeze.ai/midwest-spring-weather-surprises The Midwest is experiencing a significant weather day. On the regional radar, we see strong storms impacting areas in the northeastern corner, especially around Cleveland, where rain is actively falling and moving into the surrounding areas. Fort Wayne is also seeing some showers as clouds are filling the skies. Showers are developing a bit farther west, nearing Detroit. Farther to the south and west, the radar is showing clear skies over much of the region, including cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City, where it’s sunny. Elsewhere, places like Des Moines, Peoria, and Springfield are not experiencing any precipitation, with dry, calm weather prevailing in these central locations.
Temperatures in Chicago during the afternoon hover in the mid-50s, with a high of 55 degrees by 4 PM, tapering slightly to 54 degrees at 6 PM. Winds are generally easterly at about 9 miles per hour, contributing to the partly cloudy skies expected as afternoon progresses. The overall pattern is stable, with mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions providing a pleasant backdrop to the afternoon.
In the northern part of the region, Chicago is feeling a bit cool with a high of 57 degrees, while the nearby Fort Wayne also sits at 57. Ohio is on the chillier side, with Cleveland reaching only 45 degrees. Moving further south, Indianapolis will see a high of 59, and Louisville warms up a bit more to 63 degrees. St. Louis is enjoying a pleasant day at 64 degrees. Kansas City takes the crown today with a warm high of 77, while Springfield closely follows with a comfortable 72 degrees. Overall, we’re seeing some nice variability in temperatures across the Midwest as we enjoy springtime weather!
Low temperatures tonight across the Midwest are dropping significantly, signaling a colder night ahead. In the northern regions, Chicago will see a chilly 45 degrees, while Detroit also dips to 45. Indianapolis is forecasted to hit 49, with Fort Wayne trailing slightly at 48. Moving further south, Kansas City will experience a low of 55 degrees, and St. Louis is set for a warmer 61. Kentucky’s Louisville is forecasted at 60, while Peoria will be just a bit cooler at 56.
High temperatures for the Midwest region tomorrow are shaping up to be quite warm for this time of year. In Kansas City, expect a hot high of 90 degrees, significantly above average. To the east, St. Louis will see a high of 87 degrees, also well above typical readings. Springfield is set to reach 80 degrees, while Peoria will experience a high of 74 degrees. Farther north, Chicago will have a milder high of 63 degrees, with Indianapolis slightly cooler at 64 degrees. Louisville is forecasted for 69 degrees, while Fort Wayne will max out at 60 degrees.
A cold front will sweep across the Midwest starting late Saturday. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, primarily impacting areas from St. Louis to Indianapolis through Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center has parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in their Severe Weather Outlook, with possible strong winds and the chance of isolated tornadoes. Temperatures will drop by about 5 to 10 degrees behind the front. Rainfall totals could approach 1 to 2 inches, potentially causing localized flooding concerns, especially in low-lying areas. As we move into Sunday, drier conditions are expected, with sunshine returning to much of the region.
The UV index in Chicago will be moderate on Saturday, reaching 6, which means a burn time of about 23 minutes in direct sunlight. As we move into Sunday, the UV index drops to 3, reducing the potential for sunburn.