After more than two weeks of below-normal temperatures, late-season warmth will return with a flourish this weekend as gusty south winds send the mercury soaring. Saturday's predicted high of 70 will be nearly 20 degrees above normal and threaten the 71-degree record high established in 1949. Sunday promises to be warm, too, with highs peaking in the upper 60s as scattered thunderstorms flare in the afternoon.
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a strong cold front are forecast to be widespread Sunday night in time for the Bears game. The mild weather will end abruptly late Sunday night in the wake of the cold front as strong northwest winds send temperatures crashing to the lower 30s, setting the stage for a chilly, blustery Monday that could bring the season's first flurries to the city.
