Single digit chills hit after most early year 70s in 61 years

The most impressive early April cold surge in literally years hits especially hard Wednesday. The 33° plunge since Tuesday’s 70° high will be hard for many Chicagoans to take in stride. That’s because of the number of warm 70° days which have preceded it. Tuesday’s 70° was the year’s fifth. It’s been 61 years since that many (or more) 70° readings have been logged this early in the year—a benchmark last exceeded in 1946 when six 70s had occurred by now.
A 30° or greater day to next April plunge in high temperatures isn’t a frequent occurrence here. Such a pullback hasn’t occurred here since April 3-4, 1996 when daytime highs retreated from 70° to 37°—ironically, a decline identical to the one underway.
Powerful winds sweeping around the backside of a powerful spring storm deliver Wednesday’s chill. Gusts are to reach 35 m.p.h. at times.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist