Strong gusty southwest winds signal the end to one of the coldest starts to December ever. Chicago has experienced only three daytime highs above freezing so far this month (through December 21), eclipsing the previous record covering the 136 years since 1870 of just 4 above freezing days back in December 1-21,1919. High temperature forecasting has been challenging to say the least this week, with a persistent wind flow over hundreds of miles of snow cover to the west and a very dry cold high pressure air mass in place. Cold air at the surface was actually further entrenched by the stabilizing influence of warmer air aloft. Winds are to become more southerly the next 24 to 48 hours and increase in intensity, flowing over a broad expanse of thin or no snow cover to the south. The evaporative effects of the winds as well as warmer temperatures followed by an period of rain should result in a fast snow melt over NE Illinois.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
