Chicago, IL – The Great Lakes region is forecast to see a continuation of unseasonably warm and mostly dry weather from October 24 through October 28, 2025, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s latest 6–10 day outlook. The pattern will bring highs well above normal for late October across Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, with minimal chances of rain.
According to NOAA’s update issued October 18, a large ridge of high pressure remains firmly in place over the central U.S., reinforcing dry, stable air across the Midwest and Great Lakes. Temperatures are expected to climb 10 to 15 degrees above average, with daytime highs reaching the mid to upper 70s in many areas—more typical of mid-September than late October.
The forecast calls for below-normal precipitation across most of the region, particularly in southern Michigan, northern Indiana, and Illinois, where dry conditions have persisted through much of the month. Lake-effect rain chances will be limited due to warmer air and light winds, reducing typical late-October instability.
Meteorologists note this pattern reflects the influence of El Niño, which often drives extended warmth across the eastern half of the U.S. during fall. Cooler, wetter conditions are not expected to arrive until early November, when a stronger jet stream may shift back into the Midwest.
