After years out of operation, Chicago’s historic Weather Bell is once again broadcasting the forecast to pedestrians passing the Rector Building. The installation, labeled the Bellwether, has been revived as part of a restoration of the historic structure at 79 W Monroe St.
How the Weather Bell works
Rather than showing a digital temperature or hourly forecast, the restored bell uses a simple color-coded light display to reveal what’s ahead:
- Green means temperatures are expected to stay about the same.
- Red signals warmer weather is on the way.
- Blue indicates colder temperatures are moving in.
- A flashing bell means rain or snow is expected.
It’s a quick, easy-to-read system that lets passersby get the day’s forecast with a glance.
A mid-century Chicago comeback
Originally installed in the 1950s, the Weather Bell was once a familiar sight for downtown commuters at the corner of Monroe and Clark streets. Long before smartphones—and even before most people carried portable radios—it gave Chicagoans an instantly visible forecast while they made their way through the Loop.
The bell has returned to service following the restoration of the building it calls home, bringing one of Chicago’s more charming mid-century oddities back to the streetscape. It may not replace your weather app, but it’s certainly a more fun way to find out whether to bring an umbrella.
