**Chicago Weather Forecast: 40-Degree Temperatures Before Arctic Blast**
The Chicago area was hit with bitter cold this Wednesday morning, with temperatures plunging into the single digits or even below zero. NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman warned that while a brief warm-up was in store, an “Arctic blast” was looming towards the weekend, bringing below-average temperatures that would persist until the end of the month.
**Subzero Temperatures in Northern and Western Areas**
Around 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday, various locations to the north and west experienced sub-zero temperatures, including Aurora, Kankakee, DuPage, and Waukegan, where the mercury dropped between -4 and -6 degrees. Roman highlighted that cold temperatures would persist throughout Wednesday, with a high of 21 degrees, and wind chills making it feel even colder, akin to single-digit temperatures.
**Light Snow Flurries Expected Wednesday Night**
As Wednesday night approached, light snow flurries were predicted to start around 6 p.m. in the northern and western regions. By 9 p.m., these flurries were expected to become more widespread, continuing overnight but tapering off before the Thursday morning commute. Roman reassured residents that only a light dusting of snow was anticipated, with most areas likely to see less than an inch of accumulation.
**Gradual Thaw Before Another Arctic Blast**
Roman projected a gradual thaw following the cold snap, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s on Thursday and hitting a high of 40 degrees by Friday. However, Friday night could bring a wintry mix, extending into Saturday morning. By Sunday, temperatures were set to plummet back down to the teens, with even colder conditions expected the following week, particularly on Monday, when a high of just 5 degrees was forecasted.
**Extended Period of Below-Average Temperatures**
Looking ahead, Roman warned of another Arctic blast, bringing frigid temperatures that were expected to persist until the end of January. The extended forecast models indicated that Northeastern Illinois, including Chicago, would likely experience below-average temperatures over the next eight to fourteen days, with highs remaining below 31 degrees.
