Chicago's lack of snow or cold this season has been one that is not just unusual but one that is becoming unprecedented. Another record broke yesterday of 320 consecutive days without having a 1" or more snowfall.
In the midst of a significant warming trend, high temperatures on Wednesday over the region topped out in the lower 50s including 50F degrees at O'Hare, 50F in Kankakee, 51F in Joliet, and 51F degrees at Midway. The high temperature Wednesday of 50F degrees at O'Hare was the first of the month of January and was nearly 20F degrees warmer than normal. Last January produced five 50+ degree days. Another 50F or two is in store Friday and Saturday, and with it being pretty early in the month, the possibility of more 50s can't be ruled out.
In addition to the mild air that will remain in place through the first half of Saturday, will be the chance for showers and maybe a thunderstorm beginning later today/tonight lingering into the early parts of Friday. Plenty of moisture will accompany this next system that will impact us tonight. Anywhere from a half an inch to an inch and a quarter could fall by Friday afternoon.
Depending on how quickly the system moves out of the region and the amount of cloud cover over the area, record high temperatures are possible on Friday. The record high temperature in Chicago for Friday is 61F degrees set back in 1880. The record high temperature for Rockford is 57F set back in 2012.
Unseasonably mild weather will continue to at most the first half of Saturday before a strong cold front moves over the region. Temperatures Saturday afternoon will begin to tumble and by Sunday high temperatures will only be in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Snow showers are possible behind the cold front Saturday night.
Complete Forecast
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. P.M. showers likely. Highs in the mid 40s. Winds east-southeast 10-20 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy with showers ending in the morning. Highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Winds southwest 10-20 mph gusting to 25 mph.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain/snow late Saturday. Highs in the lower 50s. Winds southwest 10-20 mph gusting to 30 mph and becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday: Partly cloudy and sharply colder. Highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Winds north-northwest 5-15 mph.
Monday: Partly cloudy and cool. Highs in the lower 30s. Winds northwest 5-15 mph.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy and cool. Highs in the lower 30s. Winds northwest 5-15 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny and cool. Highs in the lower 30s. Winds northwest 5-15 mph.
8-15 day temperature trend outlook
Thursday Jan. 17: Highs in the 20s.
Friday Jan. 18: Highs in the 20s/30s.
Saturday Jan. 19: Highs in the 30s.
Sunday Jan. 20: Highs in the 30s.
Monday Jan. 21: Highs in the 30s.
Tuesday Jan. 22: Highs in the 20s.
Wednesday Jan. 23: Highs in the 30s.
Thursday Jan. 24: Highs in the 30s.
Friday Jan. 25: Highs in the 20s.
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