If temperatures in Chicago reach the 50s both today and Sunday it will mark the first time since last November 6 (65º) and 7 (57º) that weekend temperatures have been that mild. The recent mild spell has had a major impact on the area’s snow pack which has been rapidly melting this week and should be just about gone by Sunday. In addition to the mild temperatures, the snowmelt on Friday was aided by the city’s first totally sunny day since Christmas Eve.
Chicago is not alone in the current mild spell. High temperature records fell across portions of 7 states Friday from Wyoming east to Michigan and more records are likely to tumble Saturday. Among Friday’s “hot spots” were a record breaking high of 73º at Rapid City, South Dakota, a stunning 37º above normal and a balmy 66° at Sioux City, Iowa.
