Chicago, Ill. – Labor Day travelers in Illinois should prepare for a sudden cool-down as fall-like air sweeps in early next week. Drivers headed out of Chicago on I-55, I-90, and I-94 may encounter wet roads Saturday morning, though most of the weekend will stay dry and seasonable.
According to the National Weather Service, Saturday starts with scattered showers but clears quickly, leaving highs near 70. Labor Day itself turns sunny with highs in the mid-70s, but a major shift follows as a cold front drops overnight lows into the 50s by midweek. This cool push could mark the earliest hint of fall for northern Illinois.
Sunday remains calm and bright, offering comfortable conditions for outdoor events and parades. However, the extended outlook from NOAA shows a broad area of below-normal temperatures across the Midwest from September 4–8, with Chicago at the center of the chill.
Residents should plan ahead by packing jackets for evening events and monitoring travel updates as traffic increases Monday afternoon. Those planning late-night travel should be aware that cooler air may bring reduced visibility in rural areas due to patchy fog.
Conditions stay mostly sunny into Tuesday, with highs in the mid-70s before the cooler air strengthens midweek. The pattern suggests the first extended stretch of autumn-like weather could settle across Illinois and the Great Lakes region.
Warnings for further advisories may be issued as the week unfolds, particularly if storms develop along the incoming front.
Five Day Forecast for Chicago, IL
- Sunday: Sunny, high 74, low 63.
- Labor Day Monday: Sunny, high 75, low 63.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 76, low 63.
- Wednesday: Chance of showers, high 72, low 51.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 68, low 52.
