On average, Chicago’s temperatures climb to 50º or higher on only one day in 22 during the first week of January, and so the back-to-back 50° readings expected today and again on Friday stand in genuinely rarefied territory.
Chicago weather historian Frank Wachowski tells us those 50° readings, should they occur, would bring the city’s tally of 50° days to 14 since Dec. 1 (the beginning of meteorological winter). That exceeds by six days the normal full-winter average of eight days at or above 50º.
Temperatures dip sharply over the weekend with the arrival of Canadian air—a reminder that this is, after all, January. Surprisingly, readings remain above the normal daily high/low values of 30º/15º despite the temperature downturn.
Longer range, a major weather pattern change promises greatly increased snow chances toward mid January.
--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
