It snowed again in the Chicago area Wednesday, the city's 10th snowy day of the past 11. This time the city was spared the heaviest snowfall, with amounts ranging from just a dusting north to about an inch on the South Side, while robust totals accumulated well to the southin east-central Illinois, with 5 inches at Pontiac, 4.5 inches at Watseka and 4 inches at Milford.
Skies cleared Wednesday evening in the wake of the snow, setting the stage for a rapid temperature drop that will bring the area its coldest weather in a month. Widespread subzero readings are expected at daybreak Thursday, with readings as low as minus-15 in the coldest inland locations.
The deep freeze will be brief, with the mercury steadily climbing each day and reaching the mid-30s by the weekend. The next weather system is expected to begin as rain, then change to snow as colder air returns by Sunday night.