The Brief
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Milder weather in the upper 30s and low 40s will turn sharply colder by the weekend.
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An arctic cold front will bring subzero temperatures and dangerously low wind chills starting Sunday.
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A wintry mix is expected Friday evening, with snow showers possible by next Thursday.
CHICAGO – Milder conditions settled into the Chicago area on Thursday, with highs in the upper 30s under mostly cloudy skies.
Friday will continue the warming trend, with temperatures climbing to the lower 40s — unusually warm for January. However, a major shift in the weather pattern is on the way.
What we know
Rain and a wintry mix are expected Friday evening, especially after sunset and south and east of I-55. As an arctic cold front sweeps through the region, temperatures will rapidly drop, turning rain into a wintry mix and eventually bringing bitterly cold air for the weekend.
Saturday’s high will occur at midnight before temperatures fall to the 20s during the day. Sunday will be even colder, with highs in the single digits and wind chills as low as 5 to 15 degrees below zero.
What’s next
The coldest air of the season is set to arrive Sunday night into Monday morning, with lows dropping to 5-10 degrees below zero. Wind chills could plunge to between -20 and -30, making frostbite a concern for those exposed to the elements for extended periods. Highs on Monday and Tuesday will only reach about 5 degrees, with subzero lows continuing.
Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly by Wednesday, returning to the 20s under mostly sunny skies. Another round of snow showers could arrive Thursday, bringing highs in the upper 20s.
