CHICAGO, Ill. – After a sunny holiday weekend, cooler and cloudier weather will slide into northern Illinois and northwest Indiana by Tuesday, bringing a noticeable end to the brief fall warmth. Temperatures that push into the upper 60s and low 70s Monday will dip steadily midweek, signaling the start of a cooler, more typical October pattern.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the warm stretch that has brightened Columbus Day will shift Tuesday as a weak front moves through the region. Scattered light showers may develop along I-55 and I-80 corridors late Tuesday night, though widespread rainfall is not expected. Winds will turn northerly behind the front, ushering in highs only in the low 60s by Wednesday.
Residents planning pumpkin patch trips or outdoor sports practices should prepare for a drop in temperatures and increasing clouds through midweek. Morning commuters could see damp roads Tuesday night into early Wednesday. No frost or freeze concerns are expected yet, but forecasters note that typical mid-October chill is on the way later this week.
Drivers are encouraged to check updated travel conditions on IDOT’s road information system, especially along lake-adjacent routes where patchy fog may form early Wednesday. By Thursday and Friday, skies will clear and sunshine will return, but highs will remain near 65 — a reminder that fall’s cooler rhythm is settling in for good.
Five-Day Forecast for Chicago, IL:
Mon: 71/60 – Partly sunny and mild; breezy south winds 10–15 mph.
Tue: 68/56 – Mostly cloudy; slight chance of light showers late.
Wed: 61/51 – Partly sunny; cooler north breeze, lingering clouds.
Thu: 65/54 – Mostly sunny; pleasant fall day for outdoor plans.
Fri: 67/56 – Partly sunny; light winds, ideal for fall festivals.
