The Chicago area has seen a wet and relatively unusual stretch of cool May weather lately and the start to this week could continue that streak -- but then a big change is expected.
According to the National Weather Service, Chicago's Northerly Island has recorded nine consecutive days with high temperatures below 60 degrees.
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WATCH HERE"Such a long streak entirely during the month of May has only happened once before within the past 20 years, in early 2021," the NWS reported.
The "persistently cool air" is the result of an "unusually long period of onshore flow facilitated by a large high pressure system parked over the northern Great Lakes."
But a "pattern shift" is expected by early next month, NWS reported.
The change will begin by the end of this week, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team, as weekend temperatures look to top 80 degrees.
Weather
"Temperatures will be warming up each and every day this week," NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said.
Highs by Saturday and Sunday look to reach into the mid-80s for most in the region.
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SIGN UP That will come after a mostly chilly and potentially rainy week, however.
Rain chances will linger through the region, mostly scattered in nature, nearly every day in the lead-up to the weekend.
The biggest threat for rain comes Wednesday, when heavier downpours could be possible for some parts of the area.
According to Roman, while the cool and rainy weather may have seemed unusual, it's not as extreme as it may feel.
While temps along the lakefront have remained cool, those inland have been warmer.
So far this month, O'Hare Airport has recorded an average of 2.1 degrees below normal. Depending on the rain at the end of the month, May could also be among the driest on record.
This is a developing forecast. Check here for updates.
