Record Highs for Chicago?

A broadening surface low over southern Minnesota is dragging a warm front northward. The timing of the front with the afternoon sun will combine to push temperatures in the Chicago-land area up close to 60 degrees. The warm air advection associated with the front will also clear the low clouds by mid morning. The combination of warm southerly flow and few clouds will likely push the air temperature to near-record highs. Here are some maps from the short-term hi-res model showing the northward/eastward progression of the warm front as the surface low fills in:

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Here is a surface features map from NCAR showing the position of the warm front at 10am:

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And a map from the global GFS model showing the entire CONUS with a trough in the west and strong ridge/associated warm front in the east:

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The record high at O'Hare airport today is 62F. We'll be perilously close to that. The last above-60 degree day in January was almost 3 years ago on January 29, 2013. 

Get outside and enjoy your Saturday!!

x Mick