High Winds Blow in with 'Near-Record' December Warmth

Temperatures are rising today and will continue to do so over the next few days. People are outside without jackets enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. (Anyone wearing shorts?) Golfers are even getting in a round at some Chicago-area courses.

Two years ago, the polar vortex brought us bitter cold — 9 degrees below zero — and piles of snow.

Enjoy this delightful “near-record” warmth while you can. The record high was set in 1879 when the temperature reached 62 degrees. Come Tuesday, we’ve got a slight chance of snow showers.

Gusty winds are whipping through parts of the Chicago area. The 20 to 25 mph south-to-southwest winds expected the rest of the day across northeast Illinois will at times increase to 40 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

“Larger vehicles traveling on east to west roadways may experience some buffeting and have some difficulty driving,” advises the NWS. “The winds may also blow around loose objects.”

So, highway drivers, be careful out there.

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And Friday night into Saturday, we’ve got a chance of rain. Sunday could be stormy.

“The heaviest rainfall is likely Saturday night into Sunday, when a few thunderstorms will be possible,” the NWS forecasts. “By the time rain tapers off and ends on Monday, as much as 1.5 to 2-plus inches of rain may have fallen.”

Here’s your National Weather Service weekend forecast:

• Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.
• Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 49. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
• Saturday Night: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 61. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
• Sunday Night: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 46.

Chicago-Area Live Weather Radar

CREDIT: map by ZoomRadar.com