Today’s 53° temp—year’s warmest to date

Following February’s persistent chill, Chicagoans anxious for a hint of mild spring temperatures are about to have their expectations satisfied, at least for a few days. Lingering snow cover will retard the warm-up slightly because heat energy needed to melt snow has to come from the air. Fortunately, snow depths south of Chicago, the direction from which milder air will be approaching, are minimal—generally 1-3”—and that snow will disappear quickly today. That opens the door to higher temperatures still when the next strong warm surge arrives Monday and Tuesday. Today’s expected high temperature, 53º, will be the highest reading logged here in 67 days—since the official thermometer at O’Hare International Airport registered 56º on Dec. 31. Looking ahead, present indications suggest a return to much colder temperatures beginning Thursday of next week. --By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist