CHICAGO, Ill. — Sunday is kicking off what promises to be a long-lasting warm spell across the Chicago area, with temperatures surging toward 80°F by mid-afternoon as strong warm air advection pushes northward from the Gulf states.
But the warmth comes with a catch — showers and thunderstorms are expected to approach from the southwest around 3 PM, bringing roughly half an inch of rainfall with locally higher amounts possible in stronger storms. Dew points are also on the rise, adding a noticeably more humid feel to the air as the day progresses.
80°F Within Reach by 3 PM — A Long Warm Spell Begins
The temperature map tells a dramatic story for Sunday afternoon. A powerful surge of warm air is streaming northward from the Gulf states, pushing readings across the broader Chicago region well into the upper 70s and touching 80°F by around 3 PM. Communities to the south and west of the city are already sitting in the low 80s, with the warmth advancing steadily northward through the morning and early afternoon hours.
This is not a one-day warm-up — forecasters are describing today as the opening chapter of a long-lasting warm spell for the area, meaning the heat building in today will stick around for an extended stretch of days ahead.
Windy Conditions as Gulf Moisture Streams North
Along with the warmth, wind will be a notable feature of the day. Strong warm air advection is driving the temperature surge, and that same atmospheric flow is producing breezy and at times gusty conditions across the Chicago metro and surrounding communities…