Warmer temperatures, chance of thunderstorms in Chicago forecast this week

The Chicago area is experiencing an interesting temperature split Wednesday, but warmer weather is on the way for everyone this week.

On Wednesday, areas adjacent to Lake Michigan are experiencing significantly cooler temperatures than those residents in outlying areas, with temperatures in the 50s or low-60s near the lake and well into the 70s elsewhere.

That pattern is going to change on Thursday however, as the wind is expected to shift out of the south, bringing even warmer weather to the region.

Most areas will see temperatures in the 80s on Thursday on a breezy and sunny day, but another change looms in the forecast in coming days.

According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the Chicago area can expect to see widespread showers and thunderstorms beginning on Friday morning and continuing well into the afternoon hours.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center warns that some of those storms could be on the strong-to-severe side, with gusty winds the main threat from those storms, along with heavy rain.

Parts of the Chicago area along and west of Interstate 57 are at a “marginal” risk of severe weather during that period, and temperatures are expected to cool down once that storm system finishes moving through the region.

Over the weekend, the Chicago area can expect to see readings back into the 60s or perhaps the low-70s, with partly-to-mostly sunny skies.

The next chance of rain will arrive in the forecast on Monday, with showers and thunderstorms once again possible.

Stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for all the latest weather news and information, and be sure to download the NBC Chicago app for real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.