Chicago area to see major temperature warm-up as February continues

Chicago, your winter warm-up is finally here.

Following a long stretch of temperatures below the freezing mark, Tuesday will see above-average highs in the 40s, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, though front moving in will make for breezy conditions.

Early Tuesday morning, some temperatures were already nearing 40 degrees, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, with most areas around 37.

“The first 40 degree since mid-January,” Roman said.

Tuesday will also see a mix of clouds of sun. Winds will pick up in the afternoon hours, with gusts as high as 25 to 35 mph.

“A front goes through the area dry, but we will see a wind shift,” Roman said, of the gusts expected.

The afternoon hours are also when temperatures will rise slightly, with a high of 45 degrees expected, but not everywhere will see the same number. Woodstock is predicted to see a high of 40 degrees, with DeKalb at 42.

“Temps in the 40s, from 45 at O’Hare to near 50 in Kankakee,” Roman said.

Following the front, temperatures will cool slightly for Wednesday, with highs dropping into the upper 30s. Thursday, a few flurries or sprinkles could move in, Roman said.

Weekend temperatures are expected to remain in the 40s. By early next week, the Chicago area could hit 50 degrees, Roman said.

Earlier this month, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center released a map that showed the Chicago area at above average temperatures for most of February.

“All the way through almost the end of the month, temperatures will stay above average,” Roman said.