Chicago, IL – A crisp, golden sunrise breaks over Lake Michigan this morning, marking one of the last truly mild starts of October. The city sits in calm, dry air now, but changes are on the way. Breezy winds and increasing clouds Friday will usher in cooler, wetter weather just in time for Halloween weekend.
According to the National Weather Service Chicago, skies stay mostly sunny today with highs in the mid-50s, but rain chances rise late Friday morning. A 40% chance of showers lingers into early Saturday, especially west of the city and along I-80. Commuters should expect damp pavement and occasional gusts around 20 mph during Friday’s frontal passage.
Saturday brings drier, partly sunny conditions with highs near 52°F — seasonable, but noticeably cooler. Sunday stays similar, topping out in the low 50s with lighter winds and brighter skies, making it one of the better days for outdoor cleanup or late-fall decorating.
Looking ahead, early November will start mild but won’t stay that way for long. Long-range models hint at a colder air surge around November 10–15, possibly introducing the first measurable snow for parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. While it’s too soon for totals, this early sign aligns with a broader Midwest trend toward pre-Thanksgiving snow systems.
For now, Chicagoans can enjoy a dry stretch before Friday’s showers, then prepare for that sharp seasonal turn — the kind that reminds everyone winter is waiting just around the corner.
