Currently in Chicago — July 28, 2023: Friday scorcher, then relief

The weather, currently.

Takeaways for Chicago’s weather:

1. Hottest day of the year so far?

2. A few strong storms possible

3. Relief arrives for the weekend

A mix of clouds and sun on a steamy Friday as highs hit the lower to middle 90s and heat index values climb to 100 to 104 degrees. That would make it the hottest day of the year so far. Some scattered showers and thunderstorms possible and a few could be strong. A few morning showers on Saturday then partly to mostly sunny skies for the weekend. Cooling off with highs falling into the lower 80s with just upper 70s along the lakefront. A seasonably warm start to next week with highs in the lower to middle 80s on a dry Monday and Tuesday.

— Tim McGill

The latest forecast | My blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | About me

What you need to know, currently.

We’re about to switch our full attention back to the weather, but I wanted to make one last pitch for everyone to become a paid member of Currently.

The climate news has been all-encompassing in recent days. Today, in fact, the UN Secretary-General declared a transition from the era of ‘global warming’ to a new era of ‘global boiling’. And he’s right. I mean, there are people in Phoenix this week who suffered 3rd-degree burns just from falling on the pavement.

This does not have to be our lives. This does not have to be our future. A better world is possible. And, each of us have a place in bringing that world into being.

Currently exists to connect people with timely and accurate weather and climate info — and our mission is to make that info available in every language for every person on Earth. No other weather service in the world has this mission. It’s our contribution to climate justice.

The next three months of August, September, and October are peak hurricane season, peak wildfire season, and with a growing El Niño and global temperatures at record highs, God knows what else. Currently will be here to keep you updated. Over the coming days we’ll be doing a big re-launch of our interactive weather messaging service that will provide customized weather alerts for almost any criteria, anywhere in the world.

Becoming a Currently member costs $5 a month to continue making this service possible. With that you’ll get first dibs on our new services, plus a share of direct ownership of our success. More on that soon, too.

Our goal is getting 397 new members before July 31 — and I’d love for one of those to be you. Thank you!!

—Eric Holthaus

7