Hang Onto Your Hats As Warm Temps, Rain, Snow Move In: IL Weather

CHICAGO — After two days of unseasonably cold temperatures to start the workweek, Chicago-area residents should get ready to hold onto their hats as some warm but unsettled conditions will move into the area Wednesday.

The National Weather Service is predicting much-warmer temperatures, as the region is expected to see temperatures reach the mid-to-upper 60s and could even reach 70 in some areas on Wednesday. However, along with the warmup comes gusty winds that could reach 40 mph and bring down small tree limbs, the weather service said.

Rain is also expected, and forecasters predict that some areas could see 1-2 inches of precipitation per hour at times, which will cause some water levels in local ponds and rivers to rise. Some areas along and south of Interstate 80 will see severe winds and thunderstorms that could pop up during the day.

Forecasters said that despite the warmer temperatures, it "won't be a great day to be outside."

Rain and some thunderstorms will continue into the overnight hours until around 1 a.m. Thursday, forecasters said.

The precipitation will continue into Thursday when most areas will see rain that could turn over to snow in the late morning hours. As temperatures climb into the 40s, the snow will turn back into rain and gusty winds could continue throughout the day.

The sun will return on Friday for large portions of the weekend, but temperatures are only expected to reach the mid-40s as a high temperature through Sunday.