The Chicago area, locked in a non-stop wintry pattern that brought its 10th coldest
January on record, is finally going to get a break from the cold and snow later this week.
Milder weather will sweep into the area by the weekend, putting a dent in the area's
persistent deep snowpack.
However, before that occurs, the city is facing yet another blitz of snow and cold.
Colder air and some snow will flow into the Midwest late Monday courtesy of strong northerly
winds as low pressure moves into lower Michigan. The trajectory will take arctic air down
the length of Lake Michigan, enhancing the precipitation with lake-effect snow, first in
northeast Illinois and then to northwest Indiana as winds back northwest, bringing
several inches of accumulation. When skies finally clear late Tuesday, readings will plunge --
bringing another night of zero weather to inland areas.
QUICK REBOUND IN TEMPS TO BRING 40s
By Thursday, southwest winds will bring milder air, sending readings Friday to 40
degrees for the first time in 2009. In addition, a weekend rain will help wash away much of the
ice and snow. More rain could arrive early next week.
--By Steve Kahn, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
