Overview
- Rain is expected to move in later Thursday with most of Chicagoland receiving about 0.25 to 0.75 inches as the main band arrives from the southwest.
- Temperatures will fall sharply into the 50s on Friday with overnight lows near 40°F and similar lows Saturday night, lowering the chance that tender plants and unheated pipes could be harmed.
- The National Weather Service warns of a possible first widespread frost Friday night into Saturday morning and again Saturday night, though forecasts emphasize conditions could change with wind and clouds.
- Local meteorologists say a persistent breeze and urban cloud cover in the city will likely confine frost to wind-sheltered suburbs and inland spots while a lake-effect rain plume targets northwest Indiana.
- Skies are forecast to clear and temperatures to moderate by the weekend, with highs returning to around the upper 50s to mid 60s by Sunday, giving time to cover plants and prepare vehicles for cooler nights.