Chicago, Illinois – Travelers heading out of Chicago on Memorial Day should enjoy dry skies, but don’t expect summer heat. A brief return of rain by Tuesday threatens to dampen post-holiday plans, with cooler-than-average temperatures continuing through midweek.
According to the National Weather Service, Sunday and Memorial Day will be mostly sunny across Cook County with highs near 58°F and 57°F, respectively—nearly 10 degrees below average. North and northeast winds will remain light, but breezy enough to keep temperatures feeling crisp for late May.
The clearest weather will stretch from Sunday through Monday night, ideal for outdoor Memorial Day events. However, the NWS highlights a 20% chance of rain developing Tuesday afternoon, increasing into the night. Skies will turn mostly cloudy, and some roads in and around the city—including I-90 and Lake Shore Drive—could become slick during the evening commute.
By Wednesday, skies clear again, but temperatures remain stuck in the upper 50s to low 60s. Overnight lows throughout the week stay in the mid-40s to low 50s, which could prompt light jacket weather during early morning hours.
Looking ahead, Thursday and Friday warm slightly, with highs climbing back toward the mid-60s by week’s end. A slight chance of showers returns Thursday night. Until then, residents should plan for a cooler-than-usual start to summer, with occasional rain and lingering clouds through midweek.
More updates will follow if Tuesday’s rain threat intensifies.
