It may feel like May, and it could set a record

Tuesday takes on the feel of May, with temperatures predicted to surge
to 73 degrees--a reading within striking distance of the date's
115-year-old record of 74 degrees set in 1894. Such a high reading would
make this the warmest St. Patrick's Day here in 6 years-and one of the
four warmest on record since 1871. Air sinking, compressing and warming
beneath the leading edge of a 160-m.p.h. jet stream sets the stage for
this remarkable spell of early season warmth. Surface winds are likely
to gust to near 40 m.p.h., particularly this afternoon and evening, as
warm air surges eastward out of the Plains, where it produced record
highs of almost 80 degrees in Nebraska.
The average date for Chicago's first 70-degree reading in the past 138
years has been March 29, which makes Tuesday's 70s two weeks early. The
first 70-degree high here didn't occur a year ago until April 16.

Lake Michigan water level more than a foot above a year ago

Lake Michigan's surface water temperature bottomed out two weeks ago at
33.6 degrees and has begun its seasonal rise. Lake levels, thanks to a
winter of heavy precipitation, are now 13 inches higher than a year ago.