(Photo by rmeghann-snow-4702608 (1).jpg for pixabay.com)
Chicagoans are trading their green face paint for heavy parkas this St. Patrick’s Day as a polar air mass grips the region, delivering one of the coldest holidays in the city's recent history.
A Bitter St. Paddy’s Day
The thermometer struggled to break into the mid-20s today, Tuesday, March 17, leaving Chicagoans dealing with temperatures more than 20 degrees below the seasonal average. Early morning commuters faced wind chills that dipped near or below zero, a stark contrast to the severe storm systems that battered the area just last week.
Snow on the Horizon
The cold isn't the only concern. A fast-moving "clipper" system is tracking toward the Chicago metro area, expected to drop 1 to 2 inches of snow starting late tonight and continuing into early Wednesday morning. This follows a localized but intense snow band on Monday that caused hazardous travel conditions in the southwestern suburbs.
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The Storms Before the Calm
This late-winter chill follows a volatile period between March 10 and 13. During that window, a powerful weather system tore through the Kankakee River Valley, bringing 70 mph wind gusts and confirmed tornadoes that left a trail of debris and power outages across the region.
The Great Thaw: A 40-Degree Jump
There is a light at the end of the frozen tunnel. Forecasters are tracking a dramatic shift in the jet stream that will bring a "spring tease" later this week.
- Wednesday: Snow tapers off early as temperatures climb to a more manageable 43°F.
- Friday/Saturday: A surge of warm air will push highs into the low 60s, representing a nearly 40-degree swing from today’s frigid peak.
While the weekend looks mild and breezy, the "rollercoaster" pattern remains in effect, with a return to the 40s expected by early next week.
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