City temperatures failed to reach 40 degrees for a fourth consecutive day Tuesday,
topping out at 38 degrees at O'Hare Airport and 39 at Midway. It's the first time so early
in a new cold season that four days have failed to break out of the 30s, and only the
fourth time such a lengthy cool spell has occurred this early in the past 80 years.
Weather records at Midway Airport dating back to 1928 indicate the average date of
Chicago's first four-day string of sub-40-degree days has been Nov. 28. That places
this recent cold spell nearly three weeks early.
But the chill is breaking. The moisture saturated air prevents temperatures from
dropping overnight and will buoy readings Wednesday as well.
CHILL EASING -- BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY
Afternoon highs beneath Wednesday's warmth-extinguishing cloud cover won't be a
bargain -- but readings will be 10 degrees higher than Tuesday. It's even better
Thursday when gusty south/southwest winds and some emerging sun push temps
above 50 degrees. The mild air lingers into Friday with low 50s a good bet. But a storm
expected to spin up just north of Chicago Friday night circulates colder air into the area
and changes rain to snow.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
