Summer-like weather with 80-degree temperatures is on the way later this Memorial Day weekend, giving many a taste of the warmth they’ve been waiting for.
Saturday began on a chillier note, with temperatures in the mid-50s at O’Hare Airport and winds off the lake at around nine miles per hour. Following a couple light rain showers, clouds are expected to linger through the morning before clearing around noon.
Sunshine will likely return in the afternoon, though we’ll continue to see a mix of clouds and sun, similar to what we’ve encountered in the past several days, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack said.
Temperatures will slowly improve to the upper 60s, with rain mostly staying west of the Chicago area. A few scattered showers could move through around midnight, with rain chances lingering through Sunday morning.
Expect a few remaining showers around noon, though the rain will likely slide out shortly after. Some sunshine is expected in the afternoon, along with a developing lake breeze.
A high of 76 degrees is expected on Sunday, with temperatures running in the 60s near the lakefront. Sack noted the evening looks especially nice.
Memorial Day itself will start with mild temperatures and end on a pretty warm note.
Overall, expect highs in the mid-80s under mostly sunny skies, with southerly winds at 6 to 12 miles per hour. Sack said while a forecast model suggests a bit of moisture, it’ll mainly stay dry – though there may be a sprinkle or two, especially north of Chicago.
Dry conditions will prevail Tuesday as well, with highs climbing slightly into the mid-to-upper 80s. On Wednesday, a chance for showers arrives south of the city, with highs dropping a bit to around the 80-degree mark.
A slow cooldown arrives Thursday and into Friday, with dry conditions continuing and temperatures dropping to the mid-70s by the end of the week.
