Don’t you dare put those winter clothes away!

Longtime Chicago residents, shame on you. You should know better. As for you newcomers to our great city—we will give you a pass on this one. But whatever and whomever, please know that this current warm spell we are having does NOT, repeat NOT, mean that winter is over, and that we have made it through the worst.

Not if past trends are any indicator. Painful previous experience tells us, despite the current “spring is here” feeling, we will still get multiple blasts of cold air and snowy winter days ahead. 

Mother Nature likes to play with us a bit this time of year. She is sneaky and can give us that early helping of warm weather, and then just when we get in a nice comfort zone? Boom! Below-freezing temperatures, and hello cold, windy snowstorms. 

This can happen not only in late March, but also as late as April, May and yes, even into June.

Veteran Chicagoans can reminisce only in the worst way about times they have been blindsided like a cat springing prey on a mouse by a late spring snowstorm or cold spell.

So, enjoy this warm weather for sure! Soak it up while it lasts. No doubt, it feels great to get outside and not have to wear four layers of clothing along with gloves, hats and face masks. It does indeed feel like a tinge of spring is in the air.

BUT, be forewarned, kiddos. Don’t you dare put those heavy coats, boots and gloves away. Because as soon as you do? As soon as you think “We made it through another winter!,” that is exactly when Mother Nature is ready to pounce and will hit you with a cold blast that might literally knock your socks off.

... This friendly message brought to you by Chicago Star's highly unofficial and completely untrained (except by Chicago’s seasons) meteorologist.