Chicago shivers through coldest March 6 in 47 years

Chicago temperatures slipped below normal last Jan. 28, and the city’s run of sub-normal readings has continued in practically uninterrupted fashion since then. In fact, we experienced above-normal temperatures on only eight days during the 38-day period from Jan. 28 through yesterday. Tuesday’s afternoon maximum temperature—a frigid 24º—was 18º below the day’s normal high of 42º and the coldest March 6 since 22º was logged on today’s date in 1960. Temperatures continue below normal through tomorrow, but a major weather pattern change locks into place by Friday and that change signals the demise of the city’s extended cold spell. Readings hold in the 30s today and Thursday but break well into the 40s Friday, Saturday and Sunday—and that’s only the beginning. The warm-up strengthens: Highs Monday surge into the 50s, and to about 60º on Tuesday. --By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist