Chicagoans could see record-breaking temperatures this week as they continue to enjoy an unseasonably warm February.
The National Weather Service forecasts the high will be 62 degrees Monday, and Wednesday is expected to be even warmer, with a high of 65. Tuesday's high will be 48 degrees, and temperatures are expected to drop toward the end of the week with highs in the 30s and 40s, with a possibility of rain Tuesday and Thursday.
Mid-February average temperatures usually hover around the 30s with potential to dip to frigid temperatures.
A record could be set Monday if the temperature at O'Hare Airport surpasses 58 degrees, the warmest temperature recorded for Feb. 16, set more than a century ago in 1921. Temperatures the rest of the week are expected to be unseasonably warm, but the area probably won't break records later in the week. A warm stretch in 2017 set several records with temperatures in the 70s.
The week is expected to be relatively sunny with some intermittent clouds and mild temperatures.
"These things go through cycles and phases. Currently, it looks like we're going to be fairly mild for a good chunk of the week," said NWS meteorologist Mark Ratzer. "Next weekend will be not bitterly cold, but we will cool down from what we're experiencing right now."
Possible thunderstorms could roll through the area Tuesday night, and a chance of rain is in the forecast for Thursday.
"We'll probably see some potential for some rain showers, but at least we're talking rain and not snow for this time of year," Ratzer said.
The warmer weather has been welcome to many Chicagoans after January brought bitter temperatures and a decent amount of snow to the area. Across Cook County, 10 people have died of cold exposure so far this year.
