With a strong southwest wind and abundant morning sunshine, northeast Illinois is poised for a quick warm-up into the 70s today. Depending upon how fast clouds develop and move over the area this afternoon, high temperatures in the lower 80s are a distinct possibility, especially in southern locations. Chicago’s long-standing 82° record high for this date (set 65 years ago) could be in jeopardy. This will be the 4th straight day with a high in the 70s which has occurred only nine other times so early in the season, and if forecasts prove correct this string could extend to 6 days by Saturday. Six consecutive 70° days this early in the year has occurred only once previously in 1921. Winds shift east Friday and temperatures will drop off, most noticeably in areas close to the lake. Meanwhile low pressure off the west coast will continue to pound northern and central California with downpours and heavy snow at higher elevations.
-Paul Dailey WGN Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
