Chicago, Illinois – Much of Illinois is heading into a hot and at times stormy holiday weekend, with heat indices nearing 100° and a growing chance for scattered thunderstorms by late Saturday into Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, isolated thunderstorms may clip far northern Illinois Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with the main threat being gusty or localized damaging winds. Temperatures will rise steadily, peaking Friday and Saturday with highs in the mid-90s across the state and lower 90s along the Lake Michigan shore.
Fourth of July celebrations will be met with intense sunshine, warm breezes, and moderate humidity inland. The most significant rain chance arrives Saturday night into Sunday as a cold front pushes through the Midwest, bringing 40–50% chances for PM storms, especially northwest of a Peru-to-Evanston line.
Residents should stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and be prepared to adjust travel or event plans if storms develop later in the weekend.
More updates are expected as the cold front progresses — watches or warnings may be issued Saturday evening.
Five-Day Illinois Weather Forecast
- Wednesday: High 85–90°F | 20% PM storm chance in far north | Lows 64–72°F
- Thursday: High 87–92°F | Isolated evening storms | Lows 68–74°F
- Friday (July 4): High 91–95°F | Hot, dry, breezy | Lows 71–78°F
- Saturday: High 92–96°F | Breezy, late PM storms NW | Lows 72–79°F
- Sunday: High 85–91°F | Humid, 40–50% PM storms | Lows 64–72°F
