Chicago Weather: Record Heat Possible Wednesday And Thursday

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago could break a record for heat one or both of the next couple days, as temperatures are expected to soar to the upper 90s on Wednesday and Thursday, before storms and cooler weather move in to start the weekend.

The record high temperature for Chicago on Aug. 26 and 27 is 97°, a high mark set in 1973 for both days.

Wednesday especially could break that record, with a forecast high of 98°. The expected high for Thursday is 96°. The lake breeze will be absent.

A cold front will pass through on Friday that could spark strong or severe storms, with a high around 89. The Storm Prediction Center has our area under a "Slight" risk for severe storms.

Conditions will clear for the rest of the weekend, with highs around 80 on Saturday and Sunday.