Overview
- The warm spell peaked Monday with a 64–65°F high that set a Feb. 16 record, a stretch National Weather Service meteorologists described as a brief “fake spring.”
- Temperatures stay mild into Thursday near 60 degrees, with winds gusting 35–40 mph and a Fire Weather Warning for Illinois counties in effect until 8 p.m.
- Most of Chicagoland is under a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather Thursday, with a Slight Risk (level 2) confined to far southern Jasper and Newton counties.
- Forecasters highlight a low overall threat, though Thursday afternoon to early evening could bring isolated damaging winds, hail, and a small chance of an isolated tornado if ingredients align.
- Colder air arrives Thursday night with a rain-to-snow mix possible Friday, highs in the upper 30s Saturday and near freezing Sunday, and a chance of lake-effect snow in northwest Indiana.