Polar Vortex, Much Colder Temperatures On The Way After Thanksgiving

The gloomy stretch of weather the Chicago area has seen this week will come to an end for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. But after a brief warmup, much colder temperatures could arrive as December begins.

Instead of continued overcast skies, there will be "mild daytime temperatures for late November paired with a good amount of sun on Saturday and Sunday," the weather service.

The weekend also looks to be dry, with the next chance of rain arriving later on Monday and into Tuesday.

Milder temperatures look to continue through the work week and for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, a cold front passing will bring "sharply cooler conditions" for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

According to CNN, the next 10 days could bring changes in the stratosphere will upend weather patterns, setting the stage for a cold, snowy December in parts of the country. The polar vortex disruption could bring a steep drop in temperatures, and northern parts of the U.S. could see record colder than normal weather.

Temperature outlooks for the next eight to 14 days put the Chicago area in an above average chance for below average temperatures, as well as a slightly above average chance for above average precipitation.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center showed that Illinois has a more than 30 percent chance of below-normal temperatures through Thanksgiving weekend.

The weather service said that there has been a "consistent signal in the forecast guidance" that weather will start to turn colder and maybe more active in terms of snow and other precipitation, too.

"For December overall, as a change from many recent Decembers, we may very well see a colder, more active start to meteorological winter 2025-2026," the weather service added.

8-14 temperature outlooks put the Chicago area in an above average chance for below average temperatures, as well as a slightly above average chance for above average precipitation.

Here's a more detailed look at the more mild weather this weekend, per the weather service:

FRIDAY: Cloudy, with a high near 49. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

SUNDAY: Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.