Illinois wakes up under a quiet but shifting sky. Patchy fog lingers south of I-80 before sunrise. Visibility may briefly dip in low-lying areas. Temperatures hover in the upper 30s across Chicago early this morning.
Sunshine strengthens through the day, and temperatures climb fast. Highs reach the mid-60s, delivering rare February warmth. Gusty southwest winds develop this afternoon, occasionally topping 30 mph. It feels more like April than mid-winter.
Clouds increase tonight, and patchy fog may redevelop. By Tuesday, highs ease back near 49 degrees. The bigger change arrives Tuesday night. Showers become likely after midnight, and a limited thunderstorm risk develops toward daybreak. Brief downpours and gusty winds are possible into early Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 18, turns milder again with highs near 63 degrees. A few morning showers may linger, then partial sunshine returns. Elevated fire weather risk could develop if winds stay strong and humidity drops.
Colder air filters in Thursday. Highs fall to the mid-40s with rain chances increasing. By early Friday, a rain-to-snow mix cannot be ruled out if temperatures dip close to 32 degrees. Even light snow in February can create slick spots for the morning commute.
Looking ahead into President’s Day Week and the 6–10 day outlook, temperatures trend cooler but not arctic. Highs settle in the 30s and 40s. No Polar Vortex signal appears now, yet the pattern stays active.
Chicago swings from springlike warmth to late-winter chill in just days. Stay weather-aware as conditions evolve across Illinois.
