Chicago is dealing with a much more humid air mass, and that is raising the chance for thunderstorms across the region. Forecasters say the severe thunderstorm risk has increased, with the Storm Prediction Center placing much of the area in a level two “slight” risk.
The warm, muggy pattern also means the day will feel less comfortable than the past few days. Cloud cover and spotty rain may keep temperatures from reaching 80 degrees today, even after O’Hare tied the warmest temperature of the year at 87 degrees yesterday.
Storm chances build later today
Thunderstorm chances begin later this morning and continue on and off into tomorrow morning. The most concerning window for stronger storms is late this afternoon and tonight, when storms could become severe in parts of the viewing area.
Meteorologists say the outcome depends in part on how long morning thunderstorms last and how intense they become. That matters because earlier rain and cloud cover can influence how much fuel is available for later storms.
Rain may linger overnight
Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight, and some of that activity could continue into early tomorrow morning. Even with the wet weather, the pattern does not look like an all-day washout, but rain could still interrupt outdoor plans at times.
Tomorrow should turn warmer, with highs returning to the mid 80s. A shower cannot be ruled out during the day, but most of the day is expected to stay rain-free, and any rain that does fall should pass quickly.
Weekend outlook stays mixed
Sunday still appears to be mostly dry, though scattered showers remain possible in parts of the southern and western counties. Highs are expected to reach the upper 70s, which keeps the weekend close to seasonal summer conditions.
The more active rain pattern is expected to return Monday and Tuesday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms could spread across the area again, with highs near 80 on Monday and then well into the 80s on Tuesday.
Heat may return later next week
By the middle and end of next week, the forecast trends drier and hotter. Forecasters say the first 90s of the year could arrive as soon as Wednesday, ending the stretch of muggy, storm-prone weather with a stronger summer heat signal.
Separate from the weather, the much-discussed chance to see the northern lights did not materialize. The coronal mass ejection arrived weaker and later than expected, shortly after midnight local time, and it did not produce a major geomagnetic storm.
Read more at: www.fox32chicago.com
