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60 Degrees This Afternoon?

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The last time it was 60 degrees on this date, the Great Chicago Fire was only eight and a half years in the past, Lakeview and Hyde Park were suburbs, and Cap Anson and King Kelly were the stars of the Chicago White Stockings.

But if the forecasts turn out as expected, the record books will start anew Thursday. After a miserable February marked by a 21.2-inch blizzard and nights where the mercury dropped to minus 7, temperatures are likely to hit 60 degrees Thursday afternoon.

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A fair amount of sunshine is expected Thursday is the 60-degree heat arrives for the first time since the middle of November, CBS 2 Meteorologist Megan Glaros said.

As of 6:45 a.m., temperatures were already comfortable, at 47 degrees at O'Hare International Airport and 51 degrees at Midway. Southwest winds were picking up, and were expected to gust to speeds of 20-30 mph, Glaros said.

But enjoy the conditions while they last. Glaros says this likely will be the last time we will see 60 degrees in the coming month.

After a cold front comes in around midnight, the temperature drops back into the 40s overnight.

Temperatures will remain above normal for a while, with highs of 48 Friday, 44 Saturday and 41 Sunday. But come Monday, the high is back to a seasonable 28 degrees, with snow expected.

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