A storm system moving into the Chicago area late Thursday night will bring light rainfall, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures through the weekend.
According to meteorologist Emily Wahls, rain will arrive late tonight and continue into early Friday morning, totaling around a quarter inch or less before tapering off near daybreak.
Friday should bring mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with highs in the lower 60s. West winds will strengthen through the afternoon, reaching gusts of about 30 mph.
After the mild start, temperatures will plunge by Saturday. Daytime highs are expected to peak near 50 degrees before rain returns by late morning or early afternoon.
Showers will persist into the evening, and as the mercury dips, some areas could see the first snowflakes of the season. Any accumulation should remain minimal, with possible thin layers on grassy or elevated surfaces.
Sunday and Monday will turn sharply colder, with highs only in the 30s. Lake-effect snow showers may develop both days, though their timing and exact location remain uncertain.
“Most of the snow activity will likely stay over Northwest Indiana, but some mixed rain and snow could reach Northeast Illinois if winds shift slightly to the northeast,” said forecasters.
By Tuesday and Wednesday, warmer air is expected to build back into the region, offering a brief break from the cold trend.
Author’s summary: Rain gives way to early snow chances in Chicago this weekend as a major temperature drop ushers in the coldest air so far this season.