In an unpredictable twist, Chicago tied a record high temperature of 60° at the stroke of midnight, a feat that echoes back to January 9 of the year 1880, as reported by FOX32 Chicago. But much like the ephemeral gusts along Lake Michigan's shore, this warmth would soon give way to the bluster of a cold front, with winds that could rev up to over 40 mph, much to the chagrin of any unmoored hats.
Following the record temperatures, the cold front descends upon the city, prompting temperatures to take a dive, though they'll hover above the norm for this time of year. Amid the wind's relenting fury, there's chatter of spotty rain showers this morning, the National Weather Service forecasts a high near 44. The weather also brought a deluge yesterday, setting a daily record for precipitation with 1.92 inches of rain at O'Hare, marking it the third "wettest" January day on record. Meanwhile, a flood advisory remains steadfast for Cook, DuPage, and northern Will counties until 8:30.
Chicagoans brace for the wintry mix predicted to return tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to modestly climb only a few degrees with rain and snow early in the day, transitioning predominantly to snow as the hours wane. However, anticipated accumulation appears trifling. The Bears game tomorrow night forecasts dipping temperatures through the 20s, accompanied by a chance of a snow shower, but not enough to dub it a "snow bowl," per FOX32 Chicago.
The week ahead appears to hold a glacial grip on the city, with Sunday heralding a mix of clouds and sunshine, and temperatures remaining steadfast around the freezing point. The weather narrative for Monday and Tuesday prescribes partly to mostly cloudy conditions, with the mercury climbing into the low to mid-40s. A new weather system is on the approach by Tuesday night, bringing rain once again turning to light snowfall on Wednesday, ensuring the city's winter is felt in full measure.
