Ready to tackle the unpredictable Midwest weather? Amy Freeze brings you this comprehensive guide for Chicago and beyond, covering temperature trends and rain forecasts for May 2025.

Welcome to your detailed forecast for the Midwest. From Chicago’s cool breezes to the warm highs of Louisville, Meteorologist Amy Freeze maps out the weather patterns expected to influence your plans. This blog includes daily weather tips and safety reminders, especially highlighting the UV index ratings for sun protection. Whether planning outdoor activities, traveling, or just going about your daily routine, this forecast will help you plan with confidence. A calms day is unfolding across much of the Midwest, but there are light showers creeping towards Cleveland and Detroit from the northeast. The areas around Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are seeing pockets of light rain, which are drifting southeast. While the bulk of the traditional storm-prone areas like Des Moines and St. Louis remain dry, Springfield and Chicago enjoy clear skies as well. Outside the localized rain, the rest of the Midwest, including cities like Louisville and Bowling Green, enjoys dry and tranquil conditions.
Temperatures in Chicago this afternoon will peak at 57 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Winds will be coming from the east-northeast at 10 miles per hour. By 6 PM, temperatures dip slightly to 55 degrees as clouds persist. Expect the temperatures to continue falling to 53 degrees by 8 PM with winds easing to 8 miles per hour.
This afternoon in Des Moines, we can expect a high of 69 degrees, while Kansas City will see a similar temperature at 69 as well. St. Louis is warming up to a nice 72 degrees. Indianapolis is on the cooler side with a high of 68, but further south, Louisville will hit 71 degrees. Over in Peoria, temperatures reach 71 degrees, and Bowling Green is leading the way with a high of 73. Cool air is settling in across the northern parts, with Chicago only reaching 57 degrees and Detroit at 57 degrees as well.
Tonight Chicago will drop to 47 degrees, while Indianapolis will see a low of 50. Fort Wayne is forecasted to reach 43 degrees, a significant dip for the region. Over in Peoria, expect a low of 54, and Columbus will cool down to 46 degrees. Des Moines may wakes up to more mild conditions at 56 degrees.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, we’re looking at some warm temperatures, with many areas experiencing above-average highs. St. Louis and Peoria will lead the way at 74 degrees, while Indianapolis reaches a pleasant 72 degrees. Kansas City expects a high of 70 degrees, closely followed by Louisville at 75 degrees. Chicago will be slightly cooler at 60 degrees, and Detroit lags behind with 64 degrees. Cleveland only warms up to 57 degrees, indicating a more significant dip compared to surrounding cities.
A brisk cold front pushes into the Midwest tomorrow, bringing a mix of showers and storms from Des Moines to Peoria. By evening, moderate rainfall is likely in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, with rain extending toward Detroit and Cleveland. While the risk of severe weather remains low, isolated heavy downpours and gusty winds could impact travel. Expect temperatures to remain cool behind the front, with highs in the mid-60s across much of the region. Clear skies and cooler weather are anticipated by the weekend, offering a brief respite from the rain.
The UV index in Chicago for Friday is high at 8, indicating a burn time of about 17 minutes without sun protection. On Saturday, the UV index remains at 8, so please take precautions—wear sunscreen!