The current streak of consecutive days without a sub-zero temperature has reached 708 days – the longest since 1954 and the 4th-longest such streak in Chicago weather records dating back to 1871. The southern edge of the coldest air so far this season – straight out of northern Canada will hit northeastern Illinois Saturday evening right after afternoon readings top out in the mid to upper 40s. As the Chicago area becomes more immersed in the cold air, readings will plummet overnight – with a 35 to 40-degree drop and sub-zero wind chills by Sunday morning. A reinforcing surge of cold air will hit Monday with overnight temperatures expected to drop to near or below zero early Tuesday morning. Should the official O’Hare reading drop below zero Tuesday, it will mark 711 days since the last sub-zero reading (-9 degrees, February 10, 2011).
Still looking for the first 1-inch snowfall. The previous (January 17, 1899) latest day in the winter season with the first inch or more snowfall passed Thursday, so we continue on - from this point forward each day without an inch of snowfall sets a new record in Chicago.
