As forecast, cold air began to filter into the western suburbs on the wings of strengthening northwest winds on Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures peaked Tuesday morning, hitting 39 degrees at Chicago's official O'Hare International Airport observing site, a reading 8 degrees above normal. It also marked the seventh consecutive day with above-normal readings. The Arctic-source high pressure will be with us into next weekend. If all goes as planned, southerly flow will return early next week, boosting readings into the 30s next Monday.

A closer look at our records indicates the recent 16-day period without measurable snow (0.1-inch or more), dating back to Dec. 19, is the longest in 10 years and only has been observed 10 other times since snow records began in Chicago in 1884.