Sunny Sunday expected, but big changes coming to Chicago forecast

Sunday will see normal temperatures and plenty of sunshine in the Chicago area, but some big changes are coming to the area’s forecast.

Before that arrives, Chicago-area residents will be treated to a seasonably cool and extremely sunny Sunday, with highs temperatures right around the freezing mark and light variable winds that will slowly shift out of the north as the day moves along, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.

Late Sunday, clouds will start to build into the area, and that will be the theme of the coming week, with temperatures only dropping into the mid-20s overnight into Monday morning.

Those clouds are expected to stick around on Monday, but the big story will be the temperatures, which will rise into the low-to-mid 40s as a prolonged warming trend kicks off in the Chicago area. Pockets of drizzle are possible around the area on Monday, especially in the afternoon, but heavy rain is not expected to impact commutes.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be even warmer, with highs reaching into the upper-40s or perhaps even cracking 50 degrees in some locations, according to forecast models. Tuesday should be a mostly dry day, but the area could see some light rain late on Wednesday, and that could stick around into the Christmas holiday.

According to current forecast models, light rain showers are possible on Christmas Day Thursday, and high temperatures are set to positively soar, rising into the mid-to-upper 50s across the area.

After the holiday, things will start to cool off slowly, but temperatures will remain pleasant, sitting in the upper-40s on Friday and Saturday. Clouds will finally start to clear out next weekend, allowing temperatures to cool again into the upper-30s and low-40s across the area.

Stay tuned for the latest forecasts as you prepare to travel this holiday season, and be sure to download the NBC Chicago app for live radar and real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.