Chicago braces for a wet and windy Thursday, but sunshine peeks through for the weekend

Chicagoans, get ready to dig out your raincoats and umbrellas! Today, Thursday, April 11th, is looking like a wet one, with scattered showers and even some thunderstorms expected throughout the day.

The morning has already seen drizzle and spotty showers in some areas, and the rain is expected to continue on and off throughout the afternoon and evening. Don't expect a complete washout, though – there will be some dry spells mixed in.

Keep an eye out for these weather conditions:

• Scattered showers: Throughout the day, with some areas east of I-55 potentially seeing more moderate rain.
• Thunderstorms: A few rumbles of thunder are possible later in the day.
• Windy: Winds gusting between 30 and 40 miles per hour are expected.
• Cooler temperatures: Today will be a cooler day than usual.

The good news is that this wet weather won't last long. Friday looks like it will start off with some lingering showers and clouds, but things are expected to clear up by lunchtime, with sunny skies for the afternoon. Temperatures will stay on the cooler side, with highs in the 50s and 60s, but at least you'll get some sunshine!

The weekend is shaping up to be beautiful, with mostly clear and sunny skies both days. Saturday will see highs in the upper 60s, and Sunday will be even warmer, with highs in the mid to upper 70s – some areas could even reach close to 80 degrees!

So, if you're looking to escape the rain and enjoy some spring sunshine, the weekend is the time to do it. But for today, bundle up, grab your umbrella, and be prepared for a wet and windy day.