Nearly 70 Degrees After Cold Thursday: IL Weather

CHICAGO — As the calendar has flipped to March and hope springs eternal for a gradual move away from winter, a weekend warm-up just may be the welcomed site locals in the greater Chicago area have been waiting for following a cold and wet few months.

According to meteorologists, winter is already over in Chicago, even though spring doesn't officially start until March 20, the Chicago Tribune reported.

As mild temperatures have emerged this week, the National Weather Service is predicting that temperatures may approach 70 on Saturday, with a forecasted high of 67 degrees for some parts of the Chicago area. The warmer temperatures for the weekend may also include rain and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times.

The warm-up will come after temperatures drop on Thursday. The National Weather Service forecasts that temperatures will hover in the low-to-mid 30s. The return to chilly temperatures represents a major cooldown after local residents enjoyed mild readings in the 50s over the first two days of March.

But temperatures will begin to warm back up on Friday, which highs expected to approach 50 again before the spring-like weather and rain arrive on Saturday.

There is a 40 percent chance of rain on Saturday evening and Saturday night, which will come before temperatures settle back down into the 50s on Sunday, when the sun will return.