If Thursday's 49-degree high made you think of spring, Friday's temps may pull you closer to summer.
Temperatures are expected to approach near-record levels in the upper 50s Friday afternoon with a few spots hitting low 60s.
Enjoy it while lasts, as evening lows dip to 38 in Chicago and 30 in the suburbs. Highs rebound to the low- to mid-40s by Saturday and back to high 30s on Sunday.
Unseasonably mild conditions likely will continue early next week with breezy and mild mid-40s.
Considering last year this time Chicago was about a month out from its third largest snowstorm ever, these temperatures are pretty rare.
Many people told NBCChicago on Thursday they loved the mini-heat wave, while others said they missed the snow.
"I would take this weather every day for the next four months," said Kathleen Platt, 27, of Chicago. "It has been a great treat."
"I have mixed feelings," said Grace Wu, 43, of Evanston. "We can have a cheerful experience walking around in nice weather, but I missed the snow on Christmas."
Long-range meteorologists predicted back in October Chicago would see the coldest, wettest winter in the Midwest.
