Chicago set a record high temperature Monday morning at O’Hare International Airport, with temperatures rising to 70 degrees later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.
The temperature hit 65 degrees at 11:50 a.m., breaking the 1930 record of 64 degrees, with the thermometer still rising. Monday afternoon, it hit 70 degrees for only the fifth time in February since the start of temperature record-keeping in Chicago in 1871. The fourth time was Saturday. And Monday was the fourth day in a row the city has seen record-high temperatures.
Friday’s record of 67 beat the old high of 60 in 1880. Saturday was 70, which beat a record of 62 from 1981. Sunday saw a high of 69, which overtook a high of 65 from 1930.
The city also tied a February record for longest stretch of 60 degree or higher days in February with four.
If the city sees 60 on Tuesday, it would tie one record — for longest stretch of 60-degree days during winter — and set another — for longest stretch reaching 60 in February.
The winter record was from Dec. 2 to Dec. 6, 1998. The record for February is from 1976.
The record-breaking warmth is expected to last through Wednesday, when the forecast calls for temperatures to challenge the warmest day ever in Chicago in February, Feb. 27, 1976, when it was 75 degrees. Temperatures should start declining Thursday, with thunderstorms possible in the evening. Strong thunderstorms are possible Friday, possibly changing to snow overnight into Saturday, when highs are expected to be only in the mid-30s.
Check the Tribune’s weather page for more.
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