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Arctic Conditions Wednesday And Thursday Could Set Record For Cold

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago area will get significantly colder Wednesday and Thursday, with the potential for record-setting temperatures.

With a normal high of about 36 degrees, temperatures this week already have been well below average, with a high of about 18 degrees Monday and Tuesday, and only 14 on Sunday.

However, a mass of arctic air will send temperatures plunging into the single digits during the day Wednesday and Thursday, and below zero at night both days.

Wednesday's high temperature is expected to be only 9 degrees, and then drop to 5 below Wednesday night.

Thursday's high will be only about 5 degrees, which would break a record set in 1936, when the high temperature was 9 degrees on Feb. 19.

Wind chills could fall to as low as 30 below zero Wednesday and Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The weekend will bring a significant improvement in temperatures, with a high of 29 on Saturday, and 25 on Sunday.

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