CHICAGO, IL – Morning light glints off calm Lake Michigan waters now, but by midweek, gray skies and steady rain will wash across the Chicago area. A breezy, unsettled pattern is building that could dampen midweek commutes and slow outdoor Halloween setup plans.
According to the National Weather Service in Romeoville, a weak system sliding in from the Plains will pull moisture into northern Illinois by Tuesday afternoon. Clouds will thicken quickly after midday, with scattered light showers developing west of I-55, then spreading into Cook and DuPage counties toward evening. Winds will pick up from the east at 15 to 25 mph, gusting higher along the lakefront through Wednesday.
Rain chances climb to 40% late Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The heaviest bursts are likely before dawn Wednesday, tapering to drizzle by afternoon. Drivers along I-290, I-90, and Lake Shore Drive should expect slick pavement and reduced visibility through the morning rush. Temperatures hold steady in the upper 50s to low 60s—mild but damp—before cooler air filters in late week.
By Thursday, drier air brings partial sun and calmer winds, setting up a more comfortable stretch leading into the weekend. Friday looks partly sunny and seasonable, perfect for final Halloween preparations. Trick-or-treat evening temperatures should hover in the 50s, cool but comfortable with light breezes. Early November, however, is shaping up colder, with models hinting at a stronger cold push—an early taste of the winter pattern to come.
Five-Day Forecast for Chicago, IL:
Mon: 56/48 – Sunny; breezy east winds near 20 mph.
Tue: 58/47 – Clouds increase; scattered rain by afternoon.
Wed: 55/47 – Breezy with rain; tapering late.
Thu: 53/43 – Mostly cloudy; drying trend.
Fri: 54/42 – Partly sunny; cool, pleasant Halloween setup.
