Chicago Weather: Dense Fog Locks In, Severe Storm Chances Build Into Friday
chicago weather is starting Friday under heavy, dangerous dense fog in and around Chicago, with advisories posted and visibility a major concern. The fog is expected to disrupt travel and hold temperatures down early, even as warmer air tries to push in later. Forecasters are also tracking multiple windows for showers and thunderstorms, including a risk for stronger storms with high winds and hail.
Chicago Weather Now: Dense fog advisories and a difficult commute
As of Friday morning in Eastern Time (ET), dense fog is the headline issue across the region. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for the area until 10 a. m. ET, while another advisory window cited by meteorologist Mike Caplan runs for much of the area until 3 p. m. ET. Both outlooks point to the same immediate impact: low visibility and tough travel conditions that may linger through the day.
Caplan described the fog as a serious problem that is likely to hang on, adding that it is damp after recent drizzle and is expected to influence temperatures. He said temperatures may barely reach the 40s while the fog remains locked in. He also cautioned the fog may not improve much overnight into Saturday morning.
Friday timeline: Misty start, then storms with high winds and hail potential
By Friday morning, attention shifts from the fog to developing rain and storm chances. AccuWeather meteorologist Tracy Butler said there are chances for rain and storms, with the far west and northwest parts of the area seeing a chance for rain after 7 a. m. ET. Butler said rain may hold off in the city until about 10 a. m. ET, though conditions stay misty.
Butler said much of the Chicago area sits under a Level 1 severe threat, while some south, west, and north suburbs are under a Level 2 risk. Later, a separate line of storms is possible in the mid to late afternoon, with potential for large hail and strong winds. Another line of storms is expected overnight into early Saturday morning, again with potential for strong winds.
Caplan said there are growing signs of showers and thunderstorms impacting the area Friday morning, followed by several drier hours as temperatures climb well into the 60s, though persistent fog and cloud cover could limit how warm it gets. He also said another round of showers and storms is due at night, and timing will be key: if storms arrive later, the risk of severe weather drops, but if they arrive sooner in the evening, severe weather would be possible.
Immediate reactions: Meteorologists warn of hazards on roads and in the sky
Mike Caplan, Meteorologist, said dense fog is making travel difficult and is expected to keep a lid on temperatures, with highs potentially staying in the 40s while fog holds. Tracy Butler, AccuWeather Meteorologist, emphasized the multi-round storm setup Friday, highlighting that some suburbs carry a higher severe risk and that later storms could bring large hail and strong winds.
Quick context: A foggy stretch gives way to an active storm pattern
Forecasters describe fog as unusually persistent for this time of year, extending beyond a typical morning burn-off. The same period also features increasing storm chances, with multiple rounds possible from Friday morning into overnight.
What’s next: Clearing after storms, but stay alert through Saturday morning
Forecast guidance in the provided outlooks points to storms exiting by Saturday morning, with clearing skies later and temperatures falling during the afternoon after an earlier high. The immediate message for residents is straightforward: chicago weather hazards are two-fold—low visibility in dense fog first, then the possibility of stronger storms later in the day and overnight, with wind and hail among the key threats.
