Temperatures in Chicago, Illinois, could plunge by up to 75 degrees in less than 12 hours overnight on Tuesday as a powerful cold front associated with a winter storm arrives in the area.
Temperatures soared across much of the U.S. on Monday in advance of a storm working its way west across the nation. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that the temperatures in Chicago were typically not seen until June in a report that published on Tuesday morning. High temperatures have continued throughout the day but are expected to take a steep plunge overnight as a winter storm rips through the region.
"Power-house cold front will rip across the area late this evening with a truly mind-boggling apparent temperature drop of 60-75 degrees in less than 12 hours," the report said.
The most updated forecast predicts that the temperature drop will be closer to 55 degrees, NWS meteorologist Eric Lenning told Newsweek. The Tuesday high is expected to hit around 2 p.m. local time at 74 degrees. A low of 19 degrees is expected at around 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning.
The overnight storm could bring hail, tornados, damaging winds and snow to the region.
Tuesday was likely the "warmest February and meteorological winter day ever recorded in our area," according to the report.
Although sudden, the approaching cold snap will be brief. Temperatures are expected to rise again by the end of the week and into the weekend. Lenning said weekend highs in Chicago will return to the 60s, which is "certainly well above normal for early March."
The approaching winter storm is causing the temperature roller coaster, NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth previously told Newsweek. Warm temperatures are occurring in advance of the storm in the south and east, and then the cold temperatures will follow the storm.
"The cold front that comes through will be a quick shot, but nothing close to record-breaking for this time of year," Roth said. "Any cold is going to be brief."
Weather conditions on Tuesday evening in Chicago will be ideal for severe thunderstorms. A large portion of the Midwest was at an increased risk of tornados—an unusual February occurrence that typically occurs further south in Tennessee and Mississippi during this time of the year.
The sudden drop in temperatures for Chicago is a far cry from Monday's weather, in which abnormally high temperatures prompted NWS meteorologists to issue a red-flag warning for the Chicago region, something that hasn't occurred during the late winter months for at least seven years.
The NWS issues a red-flag warning when conditions are ideal for dangerous, quick-spreading fires and requests that people within the warning area refrain from outdoor burning.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
