The most significant punch of cold, early season arctic air since last March is set to sweep into the Chicago area once gusty NNE winds turn away from the lake Wednesday night. The downturn promises Thanksgiving temperatures ranked among the area’s coldest 25%. The predicted high of 33° Thursday—the Thanksgiving high just two years ago as well—is 10° below normal. Not since March 21 of this past spring have daytime temperatures been so cold.
The atmosphere across North America continues in a state of transition beyond the incoming cold spell. Meteorologists call this a progressive pattern. The sharp downturn predicted Thursday modifies Friday and Saturday as south winds return. The frequency with which intrusions of cold air reach the Midwest is to rise in coming days and weeks. A new storm’s rains and snows are to reach the Midwest this weekend.
-Tom Skilling
