Chicago weather: Snow, sleet, freezing rain before temperatures warm to the 40s

Temperatures near the 40 degree mark are finally in the Chicago area forecast, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team. But first: Snow, sleet and freezing rain.

“Several chances for snow over the next 24 to 36 hours,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, with clipper systems expected to pass through and the first round expected during the Thursday morning commute.

About 6 a.m. Thursday, Live Doppler 5 radar showed light snowfall over Chicago’s far north and northeastern counties, with snow along Lake Michigan stretching from Milwaukee down into parts of Lake County.

Light snow was expected to continue through the morning hours, Roman said, moving into Chicago about 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. A second wave is expected to develop overnight.

By 1 a.m. Friday, a wintry mix could develop, the National Weather Service said, as a clipper system starts to “race” across the area. By 4 a.m., scattered snow showers, sleet and freezing rain were all possible and expected to last through the afternoon.

“This will be at the start of the morning commute,” Roman warned. “We’ll have to watch for that hazardous travel.”

When will temperatures get warmer?

The high temperature Thursday will be 31 degrees, Roman said. Friday, temperatures will be above freezing, and above average, for the first time 18 days.

“If today stays at 31 degrees, it will mark 19 days in a row below the freezing mark,” Roman said.

Friday, high temperatures will be close to 40.

According to the NWS, a cold front moving in Friday evening will make temperatures chillier Saturday, highs dipping back down into the 20s. By Sunday, temperatures will be back into the 30s, Roman said, with highs in the 40s by next week.

Temperatures are expected to remain at or above average into mid-February, maps from the Climate Prediction Center showed.