Chicagoans have weathered the season’s first punch of true arctic air, including the area’s coldest daytime and nighttime autumn readings to date. Our descent into wintry weather regime has also officially produced the area’s longest period of sub-freezing temps. Readings here dipped below freezing at 11 p.m. Sunday evening and didn’t break above 32° until noon Wednesday—61 hours below freezing. Still colder weather’s ahead. A new push of chilly air Friday restricts highs to the 20s for only the second time this cold season—and, a more brutal brand of cold hits Sunday.
But, that’s not the last of it. Computer projections suggest another powerful cold surge could set the stage next week for a snow toward Christmas Eve—a week from Friday. With at least single digit readings a good bet Sunday night, it’s worth noting last season’s first single digit reading (+4°) didn’t arrive until January 5.
-Tom Skilling
