Rain and storms are moving through the region this evening ahead of a cold front that will bring cooler temperatures to the area on Friday.

ABC7 Chicago meteorologists are issuing an AccuWeather Alert for Thursday night, due to showers, thunderstorms and possible gusty winds.

Chicago faces rain today with a 90% chance of precipitation, followed by a weekend cooldown and possible snow.

Mild air brings rain to the Chicago area today, with storms possible this evening. Some storms could produce strong winds southeast of I-80, and heavy rain may cause ponding on roads. Cooler air follows Friday, with a wintry mix and light snow chances this weekend.

Following Chicago's coldest and snowiest start to meteorological winter since 2016, warmer weather is settling in temporarily this week.

There are at least three instances in the past 150 years when opposing temperature extremes hit the area in back-to-back years.

Rain moves into Chicago this afternoon as temperatures peak in the mid to upper 50s tonight, followed by cooler weather.