It was a wintry-level chill Wednesday morning

While it was chilly across the Chicago area, even colder weather was observed to the west and northwest where a late-season snow cover enhanced the chill.

While not quite as gusty as Tuesday, winds remained elevated Wednesday across the Chicago metro area

Despite the chilly conditions, the weather history is clear

Over the next month, we typically see, on average, 16 days of 60+ degrees, 7 days of 70+ degrees and even our first 80!

Slightly warmer conditions return on Thursday afternoon with 64% of the lower 48 (including Chicago metro area) predicted to log high temperatures above 50 degrees

FORECAST THURSDAY HIGHS

—NWS blend of models, courtesy of weathermodels.com

CHICAGO RAIN CHANCES

Following a quiet Thursday, rain chances ramp up again later Friday and at times over the Easter weekend into early next week

• Cumulative rain totals of 1.50” to 2.00” possible 

• NOTE: A typical 7-day period this time of year, on average, sees about 0.64” 

Interesting climate analysis from NWS colleagues for Chicago and portions of the Desert Southwest looking at the number of record warm temperatures compared to record cold days.

The record warm days are vastly outpacing the record cold days since the start of 2020

Modest temperature increase ahead the next few days

Next area of low pressure arrives late Friday night into early Saturday bringing the next chance for showers and possible t-storms

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