Pack sunscreen, lots of water and an umbrella this Fourth of July in the Chicago area.
Temperatures are set to reach the upper 80s to low 90s inland on Wednesday, but humidity levels will make it feel well into the 90s.
While the lakefront should see slightly cooler temperatures, the trends of the day remain partly sunny, hot and humid with heavy rain possible.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be likely at times in 30 to 40 percent of the area, though there will be many dry hours as well. Storms are expected to be non-severe, but be on the lookout: Any storm could produce heavy rain.
The lead-up to the Fourth looks cooler than the sweltering weekend, with seasonable warmth and much less humidity.
Tuesday is expected to turn slightly warmer and more humid with a few isolated storms possible far south and in northwest Indiana in the late afternoon or evening.
Post-Fourth temperatures take a turn to dangerous territory as Thursday highs could hit the low 90s and Heat Index values reach close to 100 degrees.
Thursday will be more humid with scattered showers and storms likely at times.
Friday morning rain ushers in breezy, cooler and less humid conditions that stick around for much of the weekend. Highs are expected to top out in the mid-80s, and cooler along the lakefront.
