Rain is expected to move into the Chicago area late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, bringing the first significant wet weather of the holiday weekend after a stretch that had looked more favorable. Much of the rainfall is expected overnight and during the first part of Sunday, before skies begin to clear later in the day.
Fox Chicago meteorologist Mark Strehl gave the forecast on May 23, 2026, saying Sunday should still reach around 79 degrees even with the early rain. Memorial Day is expected to rebound to warm and sunny conditions, with highs near 85 degrees, setting up a better finish to the weekend for anyone hoping to spend time outside.
The outlook then turns mostly dry for much of next week, with sunshine forecast from Tuesday through Friday. There is a slight chance of showers Wednesday, around 30%, but the broader pattern points to dry conditions holding through most of the week as temperatures ease from the 80s into the 70s later on.
That means the main disruption comes early, not late: the rain should affect the overnight hours and the first part of Sunday, while the second half of the holiday weekend and the start of next week look increasingly usable. For Chicago-area residents making plans around the Memorial Day holiday, the worst of the weather appears to be front-loaded, with the return of sun arriving in time for the holiday itself.
