Overview

• Chicago's temperatures remain unseasonably low, with highs stuck in the 50s due to a persistent low-pressure system bringing clouds, rain, and wind.
• Forecasters predict a modest improvement into the low 60s by Friday, just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the opening of beaches and outdoor attractions.
• Historical data shows that extended highs below 60°F this late in May are rare, with the average last day for such temperatures typically falling on May 23.
• The Climate Prediction Center projects near-average highs of 75–77°F between May 28 and June 3, with a shift to above-average warmth expected as June begins.
• Long-range models also indicate slightly above-average precipitation alongside rising temperatures, suggesting a wetter start to the summer season.