Arctic temperatures to put Chicago in deep freeze by Thursday
CHICAGO (CBS) — A surge of near-record cold Arctic air is screaming toward the Great Lakes from Canada, poised to bring Chicagoland our coldest temperatures so far this season.
Cloudy skies with a few isolated flurries continue Tuesday night into early Wednesday. The Arctic cold front arrives with gusty winds and the potential for brief, heavy snow midday Wednesday. These snow squalls could reduce visibility and lead to a quick coating of 0.25" to 0.5" snow on area roadways.
As the front clears Wednesday evening, skies clear and temperatures bottom out. By Thursday morning, air temperatures are in the single-digits -- even near zero degrees in far western suburbs -- with wind chill temperatures approaching Cold Weather Advisory criteria, as low as -10 to -15 degrees.
On Thursday, we are tracking the potential of a band of light snow developing mainly south of Chicago. If this were to materialize, accumulations will certainly be possible with daytime temperatures in the 10s. Biting wind chill temperatures continue.
Another storm system quickly follows Friday night into Saturday accompanied by rising temperatures. There is a brief window Friday night and Saturday morning for snow accumulation or even freezing rain leading to icing, then precipitation warms into all liquid rain during the daytime Saturday.
Forecast at a glance
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a stray flurry. Low: 25
Tomorrow: Quick snow squalls possible, then tumbling temperatures late-day. High: 30
Thursday: Frigid cold with bitter wind chills below zero early. Cloudy with light snow possible, mainly south. High: 17