Extremely cold arctic air plunges into northern Illinois following a very mild Friday

Thursday was the warmest day of 2025 so far as highs reached the upper 30s. A drastic change from how we started out the work week. 

However, that title reign will only last a day as Friday features even warmer temperatures. 

 

 

Clouds early in the day should mix with a bit more sunshine by the afternoon. That, along with an increasing wind out of the southwest will allow highs to climb into the low to mid 40s.

Enjoy every second of today's warmth because once a pair of strong fronts sweep through, we'll be taking a trip back to the Arctic circle. 

 

Temperatures by Saturday morning will end up in the teens, only climbing a degree or two for the afternoon as winds blow out of the northwest. Overnight, we'll fall into the single digits and remain in the single digits throughout the day Sunday. Wind chills Sunday will likely stay below 0° all day, landing in the -20° to -25° range by Monday morning.  

 

 

The core of this Arctic blast arrives Monday and Tuesday, leaving highs closer to the 0° mark. Winds will make matters worse, leaving chills in the -15° to -20° range Monday afternoon, with values falling to the -20° to -25° Monday night. 

The equates to frostbite occurring in 15 minutes. If you can, avoid being outdoors for a prolonged period of time. If you can't cover as much exposed skin and dress in as many layers as possible.