CHICAGO, Ill. – The city wakes under crisp skies this Monday morning, the skyline clear but the air sharp with October chill. Sunlight glints off car hoods and lakefront ripples, but a change is brewing to the west — one that will bring gusty winds, scattered rain, and a quick drop in temperature by midweek.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville, Monday will stay mostly sunny and breezy with highs in the mid-60s. Winds will increase through the day, with gusts near 30 mph along the I-80 corridor and near Lake Michigan. By late Monday night, clouds thicken ahead of a fast-moving system that will push showers into the area Tuesday morning. Some areas could see a brief downpour during the morning commute, followed by off-and-on rain through the day.
Tuesday’s highs will struggle to reach the upper 50s, and by evening, colder air surges in behind the front. Winds shift west and gust to 35 mph before easing into a crisp, dry Wednesday. Highs Wednesday hover near 52°F — nearly 15 degrees cooler than Monday — setting the stage for the season’s first frost potential by Wednesday night across interior northern Illinois. Suburbs like McHenry, DeKalb, and Kendall counties are most at risk.
Residents should cover late-season plants, bring in delicate flowers, and prepare for brisk evenings through Thursday. The weekend looks milder, however, with sun returning and highs climbing near 60°F — a short, pleasant pause before the next autumn chill.
Five-Day Outlook for Chicago, IL:
Mon: 66/50 – Sunny, breezy; gusts to 30 mph.
Tue: 56/44 – Rain, windy; temps fall late.
Wed: 52/41 – Partly sunny; cooler breeze.
Thu: 56/42 – Clear, cold; patchy frost inland.
Fri: 60/48 – Mostly sunny; milder trend begins.
