Sunny skies with a forecast high of 64°F (or any temperature above 58°F) will be a record for February 16. However, Monday morning about 6:30 a.m. temperatures are in the 30s, and motorists have been reporting fog from about Route 59 westward on I-90 and I-88 and east-west arterial roadways — especially south of the Lake County – Cook County border.
Record warmth likely today along with above average temperatures through Thursday. Wind gusts could reach as high as 30 MPH Monday afternoon, but an elevated fire danger is not significant until Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Scattered showers and a low chance (20%) of thunderstorms are forecast for early Wednesday morning.
There is an elevated fire danger risk Wednesday with westerly winds gusting to 30-40 mph. Conditions will dry out considerably and become windy during the day Wednesday following an eastbound frontal boundary. Dewpoints in the wake of this boundary are likely to fall into the 20s to the low 30s as surface temperatures efficiently warm into the mid 60s during peak afternoon mixing. The conditions bring fire weather concerns for Wednesday, owing to minimum RH percentage values likely falling into 20s amidst gusty westerly winds of 30-40 mph.
Additional rain chances exist overnight Thursday night to Friday morning, and possible rain/snow chances are forecast for overnight Friday night to Saturday.
Weather Radar at 6:15 a.m. in northeast Illinois and most of the Midwest was clear.
See also Arlingtoncardinal.com/clouds
Areas of fog have developed near and south of I-88, some of which is locally dense. Be prepared for sudden changes in visibility, especially if traveling south of Chicago. Visibility is expected to improve through mid morning. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/saVLyq2Oca
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 16, 2026
O’HARE FORECAST …
Monday, Washington’s Birthday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Friday: A chance of rain before noon, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33.
LAKE TEMPS …
Southern Lake Michigan Water Temperatures
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
935 AM CST Sun Feb 15 2026
Lake Michigan Water Temperatures…
Chicago Shore………..34.
Chicago Crib…………39.
Michigan City………..34.
South Mid Lake Buoy…..38.
&&
M is for missing data that is normally available. Chicago Shore, Chicago Crib, and Michigan City are read every day of the year.
Measured at a depth of 60 ft for Chicago Crib and 30 ft for Michigan City. May not represent surface temperature.
For Lake Michigan water levels, please see:
water.usace.army.mil/office/lre/forecast/weekly
february.chicagoweatherstation.com
Chicago Weather Forecast for your MAC/PC/TABLET includes surrounding suburbs.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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