Chicago Weather Forecast: A Simple Guide for July 18–24

Want to know what the sky is planning to do in Chicago, Illinois? Think of this like a note from the clouds telling us if we need an umbrella or sunglasses. Here’s the super simple version of the forecast from the National Weather Service (the U.S. government team that watches the weather).

What’s Happening on Saturday, July 18?

The weather folks say that on Saturday, July 18, Chicago will be between 71 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s how hot or cold it feels in the U.S.).

• It will be partly sunny (some sun, some clouds).
• Then, there will likely be rain showers and thunderstorm(s) (rain with lightning and loud noise).
• Chance of rain: 68% (meaning it’s more likely to rain than not).
• Wind: blowing from the west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph (mph means miles per hour, how fast the wind moves).

Important Point: On Saturday, there’s a high chance (68%) of rain and storms—keep an umbrella handy!

The Weather at Night in Chicago

Here’s what to expect after the sun goes down:

• Wind speed and direction: 10 to 20 mph, from the west-northwest
• Chance of rain: 68%
• Forecast: Partly sunny, then likely rain showers and thunderstorms

The Forecast for the Next Days in Chicago, Illinois

Let’s break it down day by day. Each day has a morning (daytime) and night (evening) guess from the weather team.

Saturday, July 18

1. Morning: 90°F, wind 10–20 mph from west-northwest. Partly sunny, then likely showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 68%.
2. Night: 71°F, wind 10–15 mph from the North. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 48%.

Sunday, July 19

1. Morning: 77°F, wind 5–10 mph from east-northeast. Some drifting smoke, then sunny. Rain chance: 0%.
2. Night: 74°F, wind 5–10 mph from the South. Partly cloudy, then a small chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 15%.

Monday, July 20

1. Morning: 87°F, wind 5–15 mph from south-southwest. Small chance of showers, then a small chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 19%.
2. Night: 73°F, wind 10–15 mph from the West. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 48%.

Tuesday, July 21

1. Morning: 85°F, wind 10–15 mph from north-northwest. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance: 26%.
2. Night: 67°F, wind 10–15 mph from the North. Small chance of showers. Rain chance: 21%.

Wednesday, July 22

1. Morning: 77°F, wind 10–15 mph from the North. Sunny. Rain chance: 10%.
2. Night: 66°F, wind 5–10 mph from the North. Mostly clear. Rain chance: 5%.

Thursday, July 23

1. Morning: 79°F, wind 5–10 mph from north-northeast. Sunny. Rain chance: 7%.
2. Night: 67°F, wind 5 mph from south-southwest. Partly cloudy. Rain chance: 9%.

Friday, July 24

1. Morning: 80°F, wind 5–10 mph from north-northwest. Mostly sunny. Rain chance: 12%.
2. Night: 80°F, wind 5–10 mph from north-northwest. Mostly sunny. Rain chance: 12%.

Summary

Chicago’s weather from July 18 to 24 starts wet and stormy (especially Saturday with 68% rain) and slowly becomes drier and sunnier by mid-week. Always check the wind direction and rain chance before heading out!

FAQ

1. What does “chance of precipitation” mean?
It’s the percent chance that it will rain or storm at that time. For example, 68% means it’s likely to get wet.

2. What is mph?
Mph stands for “miles per hour.” It tells you how fast the wind is blowing.

3. Who gives this forecast?
The National Weather Service, a U.S. group that studies and predicts weather.

4. Will it be hot in Chicago?
Yes! Daytime temps reach up to 90°F, which feels quite warm. Nights cool down to the 60s–70s°F.