Today, Tuesday, April 22: We’re kicking off Earth Day with mostly sunny skies and gradually calming winds, though gusts may still reach 10–15 mph through the late morning. The Storm Prediction Center has placed our region under a Marginal Risk for severe weather today. By early afternoon, clouds will return, and the chance of rain increases. Expect a 50% chance of precipitation between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., including the possibility of a few thunderstorms. Temperatures will top out in the low to mid-50s, making for a cooler, unsettled afternoon.
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain possible into the evening hours, with the best window for isolated storms falling between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. The potential for storms will hinge on two key factors: the timing of a warm front moving into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and the amount of daytime heating, both of which are worth watching as showers begin to develop. As of now, the front is tracking south of our area, and a northward shift may bring our area a better potential for unsteady weather.
Showers may linger into early Wednesday morning as the system moves through. Overnight lows will dip into the low 40s, making for a cool and damp end to Earth Day.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23: Rain showers are expected to linger into Wednesday morning, but no severe weather is anticipated. Skies will begin to gradually clear by early afternoon, allowing highs to reach the upper 50s, thanks to the influence of Tuesday’s warm front. However, cloud and rain chances return by late afternoon, accompanied by light winds and occasional gusts between 10–15 mph. Overnight lows will settle into the mid-40s, keeping conditions mild but damp.
Extended, Thursday, April 24- Saturday, April 26: Overnight showers will linger into Thursday, with highs climbing into the low 60s. As they say—April showers bring May flowers—and a persistent low-pressure system will keep the wet pattern going into Friday, with on-and-off shower chances continuing through the end of the week. Despite the rain, we’ll stay slightly warmer with highs in the low to mid-60s. By Saturday, high pressure finally begins to nudge in, helping to dry things out. However, partly to mostly cloudy skies will stick around, and winds will pick up, gusting between 15–20 mph.
