Watch CBS News

A Perfect Day To Get Outside With Sunshine, 40s

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After a long stretch of cold, dreary and sometimes snowy days, it's time to get outside and enjoy sunny and balmy conditions.

CBS 2 Meteorologist Megan Glaros says temperatures were well above average across the board at 11:20 a.m. Thursday – 42 at Midway International Airport, 43 at O'Hare, and 45 at Joliet.

And while rain and fog started the day – and caused a fair number of traffic accidents during the early-morning commute – sunshine and dry skies will prevail for the rest of the day and beyond.

The high for Thursday is 43 with west-northwest winds from 5 to 25 mph. Overnight, the low drops to a crisp 30 degrees, but skies remain clear.

On Friday, a high-pressure system will take hold and pump up winds from the south, and drive temperatures even higher. In the Chicago area long the lakefront, temperatures will reach the upper 40s. But downstate, and even as far north as Kankakee and Peru, temperatures exceeding 50 degrees are expected.

The official forecast high for Friday is 48.

And if you're wondering where winter went, you're not alone. Glaros reports the high has hit 40-plus degrees 41 times since Dec. 1, and the trend is not over.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST RADAR

A spotty flurry may develop Friday night into Saturday, and the high drops to 38 on Saturday and 37 on Sunday. But come Monday, the high is back up to 42.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.