It hasn’t been this warm on a Dec. 15 since 1971, according to the National Weather Service, which said the daytime temperature hit 65 degrees Wednesday, breaking a record.
Meanwhile, nighttime conditions were are expected to grow so windy there’s a possibility holiday decorations will take flight and truly end up out of place — blocks away.
By about 3:30 p.m. the Chicago area reached 65 degrees, breaking the 1971 high of 64, the NWS said in a tweet. The temperature kept rising and eventually peaked with a high of 66 degrees at O’Hare International Airport, which is now the official record for warmest temperature on Dec. 15, forecasters said.
The weather service also upgraded a high wind watch to a high wind advisory and meteorologists warned of gusts in excess of 60 mph whipping across most of the state and into northwest Indiana after 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In fact, nearly half of all states were facing the potential for wind damage, according to the weather service. That could include downed tree limbs and power outages on par with what would be expected during a severe storm, forecasters said.
Residents, particularly those living north of Interstate Highway 80, are encouraged to bring any outdoor furniture indoors, along with any free-standing decorations. Wind speeds should pick up after 6 p.m. with peak sustained winds expected from roughly 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday, according to meteorologists.
The weather service said preparation is the key to safely riding out strong winds. Residents should identify an interior room, preferably free of windows, in which to ride out wind advisories.
If driving and unable to stop, forecasters said to grip the steering wheel tightly and slow down; it’s also important to stay clear of high-profile vehicles that could tip over. Outside, stay clear of trees and any objects that could fall from above, as well as flying objects such as those unsecured holiday decorations.
Meteorologists said the strong wind will accompany a cold front from the west that was expected to move into the Chicago area Wednesday night; it had already reached Colorado around 11 a.m. there.
According to the National Weather Service’s Boulder office, that system was wreaking havoc on parts of Colorado with wind gusts approaching 70 mph. But forecasters there expected “damaging wind gusts of 80 – 100 mph,” and reported wind speeds of more than 90 mph not long after. The Weather Channel reported even stronger winds in the state, with gusts of 107 mph clocked in Lamar, in Colorado’s eastern foothills.
Thunder and rain showers may also move into Illinois with the cold front but, forecasters said, “in reality, the damaging wind threat exists across all of northern Illinois with or without the band of showers.”
Temperatures will cool considerably in the coming days behind the cold front. Thursday’s daytime high should top out at 46 degrees, with a low of 29.
baiduhai’s Sarah Freishtat contributed.
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