If you were hoping to roll through the Thanksgiving week enjoying milder weather, change your plans. A powerful cold front is on its way, bringing a straight shot of winter for the holiday. Blustery winds will bring bone-chilling "feels like" temps, and potential snow is on the horizon.
Things are starting off relatively warm, though: Monday will see highs near 52 degrees and Tuesday will be even warmer, around 55 degrees. It will feel surprisingly pleasant for late November, but then scattered showers through Tuesday evening will usher in what the National Weather Service is calling a "powerful cold front."
Westerly wind gusts sweeping across the Chicago area could reach 45 miles per hour and temperatures will fall fast. By Wednesday morning, the city will be in full winter mode with highs in the mid to upper 30s. The big change unfortunately hits on the busiest travel days of the year. Roads will stay mostly clear, but lingering showers and snow could slow things down.
"We had a cool stretch there for a couple days there earlier in the month, but on the whole most of the month has been warmer than normal, and it does look like that is going to change," said National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Kluber. "Starting Wednesday, temperatures will reach highs around 40. And then for Thursday, Friday, and even into Saturday, and potentially Sunday, it looks like all of our highs will be in the 30s."
As for Thanksgiving Day, the National Weather Service expects morning wind chills to drop to about 6 degrees. The day itself will be sunny, but the high is only 33 degrees, which is well below the average holiday temperature of 43 degrees. After a month that's run warmer than normal, we'll feel this sharp dip. But, despite icy temps, the day should be clear of any traffic-snarling weather.
If you're celebrating locally, bundle up. If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, plan ahead and expect some traffic.