CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - With record warmth, gusty thunderstorms, snow showers, and biting wind chills all on tap, the next 24 hours of weather are going to be wild for the Chicago area.
The next six hours or so will be pleasant. AccuWeather says it will be sunny, breezy and quite warm this afternoon, with temperatures expected to reach a high 77.
Today’s unseasonable warmth will be historic. According to the National Weather Service, the forecasted high would be the warmest day ever recorded in Chicago during the month of February as well as meteorological winter. It would break the record set in 1976. Chicago’s temperature logs date back to 1872.
By the early evening, the weather will take a dramatic turn. The NWS says strong thunderstorms will begin to roll through the area at around 6 p.m. In addition to heavy downpours and lightning, these scattered storms could be severe, producing lime-size hail, wind gusts up to 60 mph and even an isolated tornado.
Behind these storms will be a powerful cold front, arriving late tonight and packing a serious punch. Temperatures will crash, dropping 20-30 degrees in an hour span, the NWS says. Fierce northwest winds will gust 35-45 mph, even eclipsing 50 mph at times.
The remaining precipitation in the area overnight will also turn into snow. Although, AccuWeather says little to no accumulation is expected.
Wind chills will continue to fall overnight, and, by daybreak Wednesday, they will hover around zero, the NWS notes.
Tomorrow, AccuWeather forecasts a high of 32, 35 degrees colder than today.
The cooler air will stick around through the rest of the work week, with temperatures expected to sit in the mid to upper 40s for both Thursday and Friday.
The unseasonable warmth will make its return this weekend. Saturday, AccuWeather calls for plentiful sunshine and temps above 60.
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