This week in the Midwest, brace yourselves for a ride across the weather spectrum. Amy Freeze brings you the latest forecasts and what these climatic swings mean for your daily plans.

Meteorologist Amy Freeze delivers an in-depth look at the Midwest’s weather this week. From the chilly gusts in Chicago to unexpected warm spells in St. Louis, uncover what these conditions entail and how best to adapt to each day’s forecast. The Regional Radar shows a mix of precipitation across the Midwest region. In Cleveland, snow showers are clearly depicted, extending northeastward towards Erie, Pennsylvania, creating wintry conditions, particularly along parts of the Lake Erie shoreline. Meanwhile, farther west, areas like Fort Wayne and Indianapolis are seeing some light rain, as indicated by green echoes on the radar. It’s mostly dry through central regions such as Chicago and Des Moines, where clearer conditions prevail. Louisville is experiencing intermittent rain showers, while regions like Bowling Green and St. Louis remain dry. As you move toward the north, Saginaw is also seeing a break from rain or snow, contributing to more stable conditions across parts of Michigan.
Temperatures in Chicago this afternoon will start at 48 degrees at 3 PM, gradually cooling to 44 degrees by 7 PM. Expect partly cloudy conditions transitioning to mostly cloudy skies later in the afternoon. Winds are light from the east, around 7 miles per hour, becoming east-southeast as evening approaches.
Let’s take a look at the afternoon high temperatures across the Midwest region today. In Springfield, we’re seeing a pleasant high of 72 degrees, while Kansas City follows closely with a high of 66. Moving east, Peoria reaches 58 degrees, and St. Louis is slightly warmer at 65 degrees. Indianapolis has a high of 56, while Fort Wayne gets a bit cooler at 51 degrees. In contrast, up north in Chicago, expect a high of only 47. As for the Great Lakes area, Detroit struggles to reach 45 degrees, while Cleveland sits even lower at 38. This stark temperature gradient highlights the cooler air settling in farther north.
Tonight, the Midwest is settling into a colder air mass with temperatures dropping significantly across the region. Chicago will dip to 45 degrees, while further north in Saginaw, expect a brisk 33 degrees. Fort Wayne will see a low of 44, and Indianapolis will chill down to 50. Louisville is forecasted for 52 degrees, while Columbus will cool to 46. Expect a noticeable chill, especially in the northern tier where temperatures are well below average for this time of year.
Tomorrow in the Midwest, we can expect some warm temperatures across the region. Kansas City will lead the charge with a high of 78 degrees, well above the seasonal average. St. Louis isn’t far behind, reaching a lovely 81 degrees, making it a great day for outdoor activities. Over in Indianapolis, the forecast calls for a warmer-than-normal high of 58 degrees. Chicago will stay a bit cooler at 55 degrees, while Peoria checks in with a high of 57 degrees. Farther east, Columbus will reach 62 degrees, and Cincinnati isn’t far off with a high expected around 66 degrees. In Louisville, temperatures will climb to 62 degrees.
“A strong cold front moves across the Midwest, with rain showers developing from Des Moines to Fort Wayne by late tomorrow afternoon. Expect heavy rainfall in areas including Chicago and Indianapolis, increasing the risk for localized flooding. Temperature swings will be noticeable and cooler air pushes in behind the front. Thunderstorm activity may occur from St. Louis to Louisville, with gusty winds as the primary threat. Keep an eye on conditions into Thursday, as weather warnings may be issued.”
The UV index in Chicago is low on Thursday due to expected storm systems that will block most harmful rays, reducing sun exposure and the need for protection. On Wednesday, the index reaches a moderate 5, with a potential burn time of 27 minutes.