CHICAGO — The city wakes under a soft gray dawn, Lake Michigan’s surface calm and glassy after a stretch of unsettled skies. A streak of gold breaks through the clouds as the first full week of November begins, signaling a dry and unseasonably mild stretch for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
According to the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville office, Sunday will start mostly sunny with highs in the low 50s, climbing toward 60°F by Monday. Winds will turn gusty at times — up to 25 mph — but the air will stay crisp and clear, ideal for outdoor errands or cleanup ahead of the next cool-down.
Light fog may develop early west of I-55 in the Fox Valley and Kankakee River region, but visibility should improve quickly after sunrise. No rain or frost threats are expected through midweek, and temperatures will remain well above average for early November. Residents should take advantage of the calm pattern to finish yardwork, leaf cleanup, or early holiday decorating before chillier air moves in.
By Thursday, forecast models show a subtle shift as winds turn northwest, allowing cooler air to spill into the Great Lakes. Highs may drop back into the 50s, with rain chances returning late in the week. Longer-term trends — tied to a weak La Niña pattern — hint at sharper temperature swings ahead, including possible snow opportunities north of I-80 closer to Thanksgiving.
For now, though, the Chicago metro enjoys one more pleasant stretch of fall — bright skies, light breezes, and that crisp November air that feels like winter’s gentle tap on the shoulder.
Five-Day Outlook for Chicago, IL:
Sun: 53/43 – Mostly sunny; breezy.
Mon: 60/42 – Sunny; mild and dry.
Tue: 60/42 – Partly cloudy; steady temps.
Wed: 60/43 – Mostly sunny; calm.
Thu: 56/40 – Partly cloudy; cooler trend.
