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Temperatures To Drop To 50s For Many In The Afternoon

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Memorial Day weekend with temperatures that would have felt hot even in July is a memory now, as the mercury drops to levels reminiscent of late March Wednesday afternoon.

CBS 2 Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist says as of 11:20 a.m., it was 65 degrees at both O'Hare and Midway international airports.

But don't look for it to get too much warmer than that. Starting around 2 p.m., the west winds will turn to the northeast, blowing cold air from the north over Lake Michigan and causing temperatures to drop through the 50s all afternoon.

Areas close to the lake will see temperatures in the 50s later in the day, while the temperature will remain in the mid-60s – but will still drop a couple of degrees – in the outlying areas.

For the Cubs' first pitch against the San Diego Padres at 1:20 p.m., the temperature is expected to be 63 degrees, with gusty northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph. At the same time Tuesday, the temperature was 83.

For the rest of the day Wednesday, conditions will remain dry thanks to a ridge of high pressure sagging from the north. The low overnight will drop to 46.

But a low-pressure system moves north on Thursday, and will bring chilly showers. The warm front will remain well to the south of the Chicago area, and conditions will remain unseasonably cold.

The forecast high for Thursday is 55 degrees, but some models say the high could only reach 51. The high for Friday is 59, Saturday back to 70, Sunday 78, Monday 82 with a threat of thunderstorms, and Tuesday 80.

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