From one extreme to the other: November proves to be a month of extremes

It's hard to believe that one year ago we were forecasting what would be the largest November tornado outbreak in Illinois.  In total, 70 tornadoes touched down in seven states, 25 of those were in Illinois, with 14 rated an EF 2 or greater.  In all, over 180 were injured and 7 people lost their lives in the record setting outbreak.  For more on the Illinois tornadoes and the set up that lead to the outbreak, click here.

Fast forward one year, and this morning we're forecasting record cold across Illinois and Wisconsin.  A bone-chilling, for November standards, air mass has gripped the heart of the country and this will drop temperatures below zero for many.  Wind chills Monday morning have fallen below zero and will remain below zero throughout the morning and into the afternoon as winds increase from the northwest gusting close to 30 mph.  Sunshine will start us off, but clouds will build back in and this will lead to flurries and even light snow showers this afternoon and evening.  While no accumulation is expected, roads may be a little slick if any of the snow sticks. 

Temperatures tonight, like this morning, will drop into the single digits with wind chills dropping as low -15° in a few select spots.  Unfortunately, wind chills will not make it above zero during the afternoon Tuesday, despite the sunshine returning.  With this cold, not only is the record low in jeopardy, but it looks like we'll break the record cold high for Tuesday.  Tuesday morning the record low is 11° set back in 1989.  We're forecasting an overnight low of 9°.  Tuesday afternoon the record cold high is 28° set back in 1951.  We're forecasting a high Tuesday of only 17°.  Temperatures will remain below average until at least this upcoming weekend when we're back into the 30's.