Chicago

Chicago Could See First Area-Wide Frost, ‘Hard Freeze' of Season

While some spots already have experienced a frost and freeze in the past month, temperatures could dip low enough Thursday night into Friday morning to spread across Chicago and its suburbs.

It's beginning to feel a lot like winter.

Chicago-area temperatures in the low to mid-40s through Wednesday are expected to drop significantly on Thursday, increasing the risk for the season's first area-wide frost and "hard freeze."

While some spots already have experienced a frost and freeze in the past month, temperatures could dip low enough Thursday night into Friday morning to spread across Chicago and its suburbs.

In order for a hard freeze to occur, temperatures need to be below freezing for an extended period of time.

An arctic cold front sweeping across the area during the day on Thursday likely will force temperatures into the 20s in some spots. On Thursday night into Friday morning, temperatures could reach the upper teens well inland and mid-to-upper 20s closer to the lakefront and Chicago.

Until then, keep bundling up.

The next few days will see breezy, chilly conditions with highs in the low to mid-40s in most areas and upper 40s closer to Lake Michigan. Night-time lows could range from near 30 degrees well inland to 40 degrees in the city and along the lakefront. 

On Tuesday night, the coldest night of the season appears likely with temps reaching the mid-to-upper 20s inland, causing a hard freeze in the suburbs. Chicago narrowly escapes the freeze with low to mid-30s in the city and along the lakefront.

Wednesday looks mostly sunny and chilly with highs in the low to mid-40s and light and variable winds.

After the potential freeze, temperatures rebound slightly for the first part of the weekend with a chance of rain or snow showers.

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