Chicago is experiencing an unseasonably warm spell, with temperatures expected to reach or exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the fifth time this year on Wednesday, according to Fox Chicago Meteorologist Mike Caplan.
The mild weather follows a record-breaking high of 65 degrees on Tuesday and is forecast to continue through Thursday. While temperatures will be pleasant, periods of rain and gusty winds are anticipated, particularly overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning. Caplan noted that the rain should clear before sunrise on Wednesday, giving way to sunshine and further warming, with mid-60s possible.
Winds are expected to be breezy, gusting up to 30 mph on Wednesday. Thursday will bring a mix of clouds and sun as another storm system approaches, potentially bringing rain later in the day and overnight. Despite the approaching system, temperatures could still reach 60 degrees before the precipitation arrives.
A significant cool-down is expected by Friday, with temperatures dropping into the mid-40s. The weekend forecast calls for even colder air, with highs only reaching the 30s and partly to mostly cloudy skies. This shift marks a stark contrast to the current unseasonable warmth.
The National Weather Service reports that critical fire weather conditions are developing in the High Plains due to gusty winds and low relative humidity. Simultaneously, heavy snow and gusty winds are impacting the mountains of the western U.S. And extending into the northern Plains and central Great Lakes regions.
