Chicago Matches 121-Year-Old Record For Cold With Low Of 35

CHICAGO (CBS) -- If you needed an extra blanket overnight, we don't blame you. The official temperature early Sunday was the coldest May 15 in Chicago in more than 120 years.

The mercury dropped to 35 degrees Sunday morning at O'Hare International Airport, matching the record low set in 1895, according to the National Weather Service.

Rockford also had its latest spring freeze since 2002 overnight, as its official temperature dropped to 31 early Sunday.

For even more perspective on the recent cold snap, temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska, have been warmer than Chicago the past few days. At the same time it was 35 in Chicago, it was in the low 60s in Fairbanks, where temperatures hit the 80s on Saturday and the upper 70s on Thursday and Friday.

Sunday's temperature in Chicago quickly shot up after dawn, reaching nearly 50 degrees by noon, on the way to a forecast high of about 56 later Sunday afternoon.

Chicago should get an extended break from the unseasonably cool weather this week, with Monday's high expected to be nearly 70. Highs should be in the low 60s or upper 60s through the end of the week.

Monday and Tuesday mornings also will bring a slight chance of rain.