Weather

Chicago Weather Today

Live rain radar, current conditions, an hour-by-hour outlook and a seven-day forecast for Chicago, with original writing about the city's climate from The Daily Chicago.

Today's briefing

It's a pleasant 22 degrees in Chicago this morning, though the warmth will build through the day as we reach a high of 29 degrees with a moderate breeze of 9 kilometres per hour. There's a 44 percent chance of rain today, so keep an eye on the skies even if the sun does peek through, and note that the UV index is sitting at 6 so some sunscreen wouldn't go astray. You'll want to dress in layers that you can peel back as the day warms up, starting with a light jacket for this morning's cooler 21 degree minimum. Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday brings a 54 percent chance of showers with a high of 28 degrees, whilst Sunday shapes up slightly nicer at 30 degrees with a 46 percent rain chance, so you might save your outdoor plans for the back end of the weekend.

Partly cloudy · 26° in Chicago

26°

Partly cloudy · feels like 31°

Today: 30° / 21°
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 6 km/h SW
UV index: 1 · Low
Sunrise: 5:20 am
Sunset: 8:29 pm
Updated: 6:00 pm

Next 24 hours

Now
26°
39%
7pm
26°
26%
8pm
23°
35%
9pm
23°
44%
10pm
23°
29%
11pm
22°
27%
12am
22°
36%
1am
21°
32%
2am
21°
13%
3am
21°
15%
4am
20°
16%
5am
20°
13%
6am
20°
23%
7am
20°
18%
8am
22°
17%
9am
23°
12%
10am
24°
11%
11am
24°
12%
12pm
25°
8%
1pm
25°
13%
2pm
25°
14%
3pm
24°
18%
4pm
24°
7%
5pm
21°
12%

Live rain radar

Drag to pan, scroll the page over it

Animated rain radar via RainViewer (Bureau of Meteorology sources). Full BOM radar loop.

Seven-day forecast

Thu
Rain
30° 21°
Rain 58%
Fri
Rain
25° 20°
Rain 36%
Sat
Rain
25° 19°
Rain 38%
Sun
Overcast
24° 19°
Rain 12%
Mon
Clear
25° 18°
Rain 10%
Tue
Overcast
29° 19°
Rain 8%
Wed
Drizzle
25° 21°
Rain 25%

Air quality

105

Unhealthy for sensitive groups

US AQI

PM2.5: 11
PM10: 12
Ozone: 114

Air quality by Open-Meteo (CAMS), in µg/m³.

Sun and moon

Sunrise: 5:20 am
Sunset: 8:29 pm
Daylight: 15h 9m

Waning gibbous

82% lit

From the weather desk

Chicago weather, explained

How to read the Chicago forecast

A good forecast is really three views at once. The current panel tells you what it feels like outside right now, which is what matters before you head out the door. The hourly strip is for planning the next part of your day: when the rain band arrives, when the wind picks up, when it is warm enough to walk. The seven-day outlook is for the week ahead, and it is most reliable in the first three or four days. Read it from the top down and you will almost always have what you need for Chicago.

What the UV index actually means

The UV index rates the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on a simple scale. Below 3 is low and you can be outside safely without protection. From 3 to 7 is moderate to high, the point at which sunburn becomes likely within an hour, so a hat and sunscreen earn their keep. Above 8 is very high to extreme, and skin can burn in minutes around the middle of the day. The index peaks at solar noon, not at the hottest part of the afternoon, so the safest habit is to check the number rather than judge by the temperature.

Why the overnight low matters as much as the high

Daytime maximums get the headlines, but the overnight minimum shapes how the day actually feels. A cold night means a slow, crisp start and, on clear evenings, the chance of fog or frost before dawn. A mild night means the warmth carries over and the morning is comfortable from the outset. Clear skies let heat escape and push the low down; cloud cover traps it and keeps the night warmer. That is why two days with the same maximum can feel completely different depending on the night that came before.

Latest from the newsroom

See all news →

Why Park Ridge Still Delivers Blue-Chip Value to Chicago Homebuyers
Despite soaring prices in neighboring enclaves, Park Ridge combines classic prestige with surprising affordability for buyers who want a strong investment and a comfortable life near the city.
Gold Coast Mega-Mansion Tops $13 Million in Chicago’s Blockbuster June Auction
A historic North Michigan Avenue estate sets a new benchmark—redefining market expectations and reshaping the high-end auction landscape.
Buying Beats Renting in These Chicago Suburbs as Prices Shift
Monthly mortgage payments now undercut rents in several suburbs, flipping traditional wisdom on its head for would-be homeowners.
Forest Park Emerges as Chicago’s New Growth Corridor With Transit, Tech Upgrades
Renovated Blue Line stations and a major data center campus fuel a property boom in the near-west suburb.
Gold Coast Penthouse Smashes Records as Chicago’s Highest Auction Sale This Month
A $13.9 million Gold Coast penthouse sets a new July benchmark, signaling robust demand for luxury homes and shaping expectations in the city’s auction market.
Suburbs Where Buying Is Now Cheaper Than Renting: The New Math in Chicago’s Collar Communities
Soaring rental prices have outpaced mortgage payments in swathes of Chicagoland, changing the equation for prospective homebuyers.

Weather data by Open-Meteo. The Daily Chicago is independent and not affiliated with any government weather agency.

News

Chicago life

Records