Chicago, IL — Temperature swings will continue across the Chicago area through the weekend before Christmas, before a more consistent warm-up arrives early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say Saturday, December 20, will bring highs between 37 and 43 degrees across Chicagoland, with partly cloudy skies. A few flurries are possible near the Wisconsin state line, though no accumulation is expected. Overnight temperatures will fall sharply, dipping into the low teens to around 20 degrees, making for a cold Saturday night.
On Sunday, skies turn mostly sunny, but temperatures will remain chilly. Highs are forecast to range from 26 to 33 degrees, with morning lows in the upper teens to low 20s. Despite the cold start, forecasters note that temperatures will begin rising overnight Sunday into Monday, signaling a shift toward milder air.
By Monday, highs are expected to rebound into the upper 30s to low 40s, with continued warming through midweek. Forecasts show Tuesday and Wednesday highs climbing into the low 50s, well above normal for late December. Overnight lows will also rise significantly, reaching the upper 30s to low 40s by Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread precipitation is not expected through next week. However, spotty flurries or drizzle could occur at times as temperatures fluctuate, particularly during overnight periods.
The warming trend means Chicago is likely to experience a milder-than-normal Christmas week, a notable shift from typical winter conditions. While no major weather disruptions are anticipated, residents are encouraged to stay alert for changing road conditions during cold mornings.
With holiday travel increasing, drivers should be prepared for cold nights this weekend and monitor forecasts as temperatures climb heading toward Christmas.
