Temperatures well-above average are being welcomed across a cloudy Chicago area heading into the new year. Still, gusty winds are also in play Thursday and early Friday, the National Weather Service said.
The last few days of 2022 are expected to be “more pleasant temperaturewise overall compared to last week and even earlier this week,” said Brian Leatherwood, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chicago.
Temperatures for this time of year average around the low 20s and low to mid-30s, Leatherwood said, so Thursday’s high around 56 is unusual but welcome after a frigid winter storm blew through the area last week.
The low Thursday is still expected to sit above freezing, while Friday’s high will be around 40 with a low around 31.
Saturday into New Year’s Day are set to see highs from the low to mid-40s, with lows just around 32.
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Gusts of wind up to 35 mph, potentially pushing 40, are forecast Thursday into early Friday, Leatherwood said, but “winds shouldn’t be a problem throughout the weekend.”
A slight chance of precipitation is also in the forecast Thursday, Friday and early Saturday morning across the area, with the greatest chance of showers being south and east of I-50 at 50%. The chance for rain decreases farther north and west toward Rockford, Leatherwood said. Sunday is expected to be dry, but cloudy skies will remain throughout the New Year’s weekend.
“There may be an occasional sun peeking out but looks like we’re going to be in very cloudy weather for the next few days,” Leatherwood said. “We may not see a good blue sky for several days, but at least we’re warmer.”
Northern counties have a slight chance of getting a mix of rain and snow, while southern counties southeast of I-55 should see strictly rain, if any.