Chicago, Ill. – A cold front sweeping across northern Illinois on Saturday will bring a widespread round of showers and thunderstorms, creating periods of heavy rain, gusty winds and lightning before drier weather briefly returns on Sunday. Another, potentially stronger cold front is then expected to arrive Monday with a greater chance for severe thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, Saturday’s cold front will move across the region during the day, producing thunderstorms for much of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. Some storms may become strong, especially during the afternoon, with locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
Communities including Chicago, Rockford, Joliet, Elgin, Aurora, Waukegan and Kankakee can expect highs ranging from 86 to 92 degrees on Saturday before the front pushes through. Breezy conditions will follow the frontal passage, and some areas could also see lingering wildfire smoke affecting air quality Saturday night.
Sunday will provide a break from the active weather, with cooler temperatures near Lake Michigan and highs ranging from the upper 70s to middle 80s under mainly dry skies.
Attention then turns to Monday, when a stronger cold front is forecast to approach from the west. According to the National Weather Service, late-day thunderstorms are expected to develop, particularly west of Interstate 55, with the potential for severe weather Monday afternoon and Monday night.
Residents should remain weather aware through the weekend, especially if traveling or attending outdoor events on Saturday. Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, and continue monitoring forecast updates as confidence in Monday’s severe weather potential increases.
