March 17--Southwest winds gusted to 27 mph at O'Hare International Airport on Monday afternoon, sweeping May warmth into the region.
Late-day temperatures reached the low and middle 70s across the metro area. Higher readings included 75 degrees at Joliet, and 74 at Midway Airport and in Aurora and Morris. Highs even at lakefront locations, from Gary to Waukegan,reached or exceeded the 70-degree mark.
Monday evening, a sharp cold front moved into the area, bringing a rapid drop in temperatures.
The temperature in Milwaukee fell 19 degrees in 20 minutes as the front passed. By early Tuesday, readings in the Chicago area will have dropped over 35 degrees from Monday's balmy highs.
Gusty north to northwest winds will limit Tuesday's highs to the middle and upper 40s, about normal for St. Patrick's Day.
