It’s bound to be a picture-perfect fall weekend, with temperatures nearing the mid-70s and dry conditions continuing as warmer-than-normal weather takes hold.
While that’s certainly good news, there were some air quality concerns on Friday, though fog made conditions seem worse than they actually were. As of Friday evening, air quality was in the moderate category due to elevated ozone levels, as cooler air remained trapped underneath some slightly warmer air.
And be aware: Air quality is expected to remain roughly the same through the weekend. NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said some fog could develop late Friday into early Saturday. While the fog isn’t expected to be as dense as it was Friday morning, some pockets of fog and haze are possible.
Temperature-wise, expect readings to fall into the 50s by 9 p.m. and continue dropping to around 50 degrees by daybreak.
Temperatures will warm quickly in the afternoon, with highs climbing into the low 70s and readings sitting in the upper 60s at the lakefront. Jeanes said it’s shaping up to be a nice day, and while there may be more clouds than Friday, conditions should still feel great.
Sunday morning will follow a similar pattern, with morning temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s and daytime highs in the lower-to-mid 70s away from the lake. Some areas could even reach 75 degrees.
On Monday, the winds will shift out of the northwest, bringing slightly cooler conditions. It will still be pretty warm for October, with a high of around 67 degrees.
Rain will stay north and west of the Chicago area through the weekend, but by Wednesday, showers could be nearby.
Some spotty showers can’t be ruled out Wednesday night and even again on Thursday. While showers could linger, no significant rainfall is expected through the workweek.
More clouds arrive next Friday, followed by partly sunny skies for Saturday afternoon on Halloween. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-60s, Jeanes said, and then readings will be in the 50s at night for trick-or-treating hours. Afterward, get ready for a chance of rain on Sunday.
However, the timing could change, so the NBC 5 Storm Team will be watching closely over the next week to see whether the rain moves in earlier.
