Chicago’s temperatures struggle to reach the lower 60s today, but another surge of chilly Canadian air arrives by Saturday. Clouds and a few light showers are expected today in advance of the next cool surge. Additional brief showers or sprinkles, possibly even a few snowflakes, are likely Saturday afternoon.

Thursday was a sunny day across the Chicago area, with 100 percent of possible sunshine. Following a great deal of cloudiness during the first two weeks of the month, Thursday’s sunshine boosted the average sunshine for this October to 53 percent of the amount possible, closer to the normal of 57 percent at this time of the year. Chicago weather historian Frank Wachowski reported this information.

Heavy rains are expected yet again across portions of Texas on Friday, and flash flood watches are posted.