Chicagoans to Embrace Spring-like Weather as Temperatures Rise to the 50s and 60s

Chicagoans bracing for bone-chilling breezes can soon shed their heavy layers, with the mercury set to rise to the 50s and possibly 60s, according to the latest weather reports. Following a dismal mix of slush and showers, Chicago will see a return to tranquility paired with a significant temperature uptick.

The NBC 5 Storm Team’s Meteorologist Alicia Roman has signaled a much-anticipated shift. Wednesday promises dry conditions and gusts peaking at 25 miles per hour; the temperatures will hover between typical wintery 30s and 40s, yet the city is on the cusp of a remarkable thaw. "Thursday morning temperatures will hover around 40 degrees," Roman said, and from there it's an upward trajectory with mid-day readings Thursday expected to nudge the 50-degree mark, possibly cresting slightly higher by the wane of the afternoon; this forecast was obtained from NBC Chicago.

Residents eager for spring-like climes might rejoice temporarily, as some neighborhoods could reach 60 degrees by Friday afternoon. However, don’t stow away the umbrellas just yet, with an incoming weather system likely to dampen spirits and grounds alike from late Friday into Saturday. This system could spark rain showers and a 20% chance of thunderstorms, as noted in a tweet from the National Weather Service: "Our next system arrives Friday night into Saturday and will bring with it our next chances for rain and possibly a few thunderstorms." More on this can be found via NWS Chicago's Twitter.

The weekend washout should clear by Sunday, even though slight chances for showers or flurries still loom; but city dwellers should not despair, with the forecasts anticipating air temperatures to generally stay above the seasonal average for much of December, this predicts a fleeting wintry bite before a more comfortable climate clamps down next week despite the return of colder currents, Roman also notes this anticipated trend.