Chicago's Thanksgiving to Rank Among Top Warmest

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

November 19,2012; 12:58PM,EST

A bitter cold blast is headed to Chicago, but not until after the city experiences one of its top-five warmest Thanksgivings.
Temperatures in Chicago will continue to warm roughly 10 degrees above normal -- into the upper 50s -- each day through Wednesday.
The warmth will then peak on Thanksgiving Day as temperatures soar to 61 degrees.
Such a high would make this Thursday tie Nov. 26, 1998, for the distinction of being Chicago's fifth-warmest Thanksgiving since record-keeping began in 1873. Nov. 24, 1966, sits at the top of that list with a high of 69 degrees.
While showers will be approaching Chicago later Thursday, dry weather should hold through the warm holiday and the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade.

As clouds mix with sunshine, a temperature of 48 degrees will kick off the parade. Temperatures will then climb to 55 degrees during the parade before reaching the high of 61 degrees that afternoon.
Thursday's warmth will be ushered in by southwesterly winds of 10-20 mph, but will quickly come to an end with the holiday.

See Also:
Possible Travel Issues for Holiday Travelers in Chicago

Following the passage of a cold front and its showers Thursday night, residents and visitors of Chicago will be given a harsh reminder that winter is just around the corner.

Blustery winds and noticeably colder air in the front's wake will have many in the city shivering on Black Friday.

Temperatures will struggle to climb into the middle 40s on Friday, while the winds hold AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures to the 30s. The chill will persist into at least Saturday.