Springfield, IL – The early light over Lake Michigan glows faintly through a thick cloud deck, hinting at the week’s next transition. After several dry, breezy days, the Chicago area is bracing for a damp and cooler stretch by Thursday as November’s next weather system moves in.
Today brings a mix of sunshine and mild air, with highs reaching the low 60s — about ten degrees above normal for early November. Winds from the southwest pick up by midday, gusting between 15 and 25 mph before easing late in the day. Conditions remain ideal for leaf cleanup or light travel, though a subtle change in air pressure marks the approach of a cold front from the Plains.
By Wednesday, skies stay mostly clear and temperatures hold near 60°F, but clouds will thicken late as that front inches closer. The real change arrives Thursday, when a band of light to moderate rain spreads into northern Illinois, including the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Joliet.
The National Weather Service notes an 80% chance of rain Thursday into early Friday, with up to a quarter-inch possible before skies begin to clear. The system will also bring a drop in temperatures — highs near 56°F Thursday will slip into the upper 40s by Saturday.
Looking ahead, the weekend turns seasonably cool, with daytime highs in the low 50s and lows dipping into the 30s. Long-range models hint at another storm system near Veterans Day, which could bring a stronger cold push and even early snow flurries northwest of Chicago.
For now, residents should plan for a mild midweek and a wet, breezy finish, a reminder that late fall’s balance between warmth and winter chill never lasts long in Illinois.
