Beach hazards continue through Friday with dangerous rip currents and waves up to 6 feet. Warmer temperatures return this weekend before highs climb into the low 80s next week. CHICAGO - The Chicago area is partly to mostly sunny today with highs in the 50s and 60s.

| Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file Share A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Chicago area, officials said. The watch, in effect until 5 p.

Cooler air is settling into Chicagoland with highs stuck near 60 today — but a warmup is coming just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the Chicago area later this morning, though severe weather chances remain low. Gusty southwest winds could reach 30 mph outside of thunderstorms today and Tuesday.

National Weather Service officials have issued a beach warning in effect through Saturday afternoon warning of between 4- to 6-foot waves and currents at Lake Michigan beaches.

A line of showers and storms that could turn strong or even severe will move into the Chicago area during the Monday morning commute, with lightning, downpours, hail and strong winds all possible. About 5 a.

A potentially historic El Niño pattern is brewing 3,000 miles away from Chicago, with an increasing likelihood of bringing us a stormy summer and a much warmer winter.

The weekend weather in Chicago is making a warm backdrop to several sold-out events, including Bruno Mars' "The Romantic Tour" at Soldier Field and the Crosstown Classic Series on the city's South Side.