Signaling the start of an unseasonable warming trend, winds gradually shift from the
east to the south later today as a warm front lifts through northeast Illinois. Once the
front pushes north, approaching Canada, Chicago's afternoon high temps are expected
to reach or exceed the 70-degree mark Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Two consecutive days of 70 degrees or higher in November occur about once every five
years in Chicago. But if three days hit 70, it will only be the fourth time this has
occurred in November since records began in 1871. Heating systems will get a reprieve
even at night as overnight lows hold in the 50s, approximately equal to the normal high
temps this time of the year.
COLD SNAP BEGINS THURSDAY
Sharply colder air will follow a band of thunderstorms late Wednesday night and early
Thursday. Thursday's high temps will occur in the morning, with falling readings during
the afternoon. Strong circulation around an extensive low pressure area centered north
of Lake Superior will spin cloudiness and rain or snow showers across the Midwest
Friday, with a slow clearing in northeast Illinois Saturday. Chicago's highs both Friday
and Saturday will struggle to reach the upper 30s.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
