Chicago weekend forecast brings sunshine, then a warmup toward 70

Chicago is heading into a mostly sunny weekend, with a cool Saturday giving way to milder temperatures Sunday and early next week. NBC 5’s forecast calls for afternoon highs to rise from about 56 degrees Saturday to around 70 by Tuesday, with dry conditions expected to continue into next weekend.

Saturday began with a few very light lake-effect showers moving through the area. Those showers were expected to finish around 9 a.m., followed by a gradual clearing of the remaining lake-effect clouds. Meteorologist Pete Sack said sunshine would spread across the Chicago area during the afternoon.

Despite the brighter skies, Saturday will remain jacket weather for anyone spending time outside. The forecast high is about 56 degrees, with southwest winds blowing at 10 to 20 mph. Residents planning a walk, a park visit or other outdoor activities can expect sunshine without much afternoon warmth.

Under mainly clear skies Saturday night, temperatures in the city are expected to fall to around 40 degrees. Locations farther from the lake are forecast to reach the middle to upper 30s. The forecast does not call for new frost or freeze advisories overnight, but early Sunday outings will still begin in chilly conditions.

Sunday offers a warmer option for weekend plans. Partly cloudy skies are expected initially, with additional sunshine during the afternoon and a high near 63 degrees. That would put the afternoon about seven degrees warmer than Saturday, while keeping the weekend’s generally bright pattern in place.

The warming trend is expected to continue as the workweek begins. Monday’s high should reach the upper 60s, followed by roughly 70 degrees Tuesday. Readings near 70 and dry weather are forecast to last into the following weekend, giving Chicago residents a longer stretch of mild conditions beyond the initial weekend warmup.