Showers Move In Before Dry, Cool Sunday in Chicago

Thunderstorms and heavy rain expected overnight, but conditions to improve for Easter weekend.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:53am

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A sweeping, moody landscape painting in muted grays, blues, and greens, with a distant city skyline barely visible through heavy rain clouds and atmospheric haze, conveying the overwhelming force of nature.A dramatic, atmospheric landscape painting captures the power and scale of a looming storm system over the Chicago skyline.Chicago Today

Chicago will see periods of rain and thunderstorms heading into Easter weekend, but conditions are expected to improve in time for Sunday. Showers moved into the area Friday evening, with some thunderstorms producing heavy downpours. The rain is expected to continue overnight into Saturday morning before gradually tapering off, with skies clearing by midday. Sunday is expected to remain dry, with a mix of clouds and some sunshine and temperatures in the low 50s.

Why it matters

Chicago's weather patterns can have a significant impact on holiday weekend plans and activities, especially around Easter. The shift from wet and stormy conditions to a drier, cooler Sunday could affect travel, outdoor events, and family gatherings across the region.

The details

Temperatures reached a high of 62 degrees Friday, above the seasonal average of 54. By late evening, temperatures had fallen to around 41 degrees, with east-northeast winds near 15 mph off Lake Michigan helping limit the chance of storms in the Chicago area. A sharp temperature contrast remained across the region, with readings in the upper 30s near the lake and mid-50s farther south. Rain is expected to continue overnight into Saturday morning before gradually tapering off. Skies should begin clearing by midday Saturday, with lingering showers possible in northwest Indiana.

  • Showers moved into the Chicago area on Friday evening.
  • Thunderstorms producing heavy downpours occurred overnight on Friday.
  • Rain is expected to continue overnight into Saturday morning before gradually tapering off.
  • Skies should begin clearing by midday on Saturday.
  • Sunday is expected to remain dry, with a mix of clouds and some sunshine.

The players

Chicago

The city of Chicago, Illinois, which is experiencing the weather patterns described in the story.

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The takeaway

The shift from wet and stormy conditions to a drier, cooler Sunday in Chicago could have a significant impact on holiday weekend plans and activities across the region, affecting travel, outdoor events, and family gatherings.