Chicago is experiencing unseasonably mild temperatures, with a 10.7-degree Fahrenheit deviation from the five-year historical average for January 29, 2025. While residents may welcome the warmer weather, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that these conditions could lead to ice jam flooding as river ice thaws and breaks apart.

Dry, gusty conditions in Northeastern Illinois led the National Weather Service to issue a fire weather watch for the entire Chicago area Monday. Here's a breakdown of what it means.

The combination of strong winds, dry conditions, and warm temperatures increases the risk of wildfires, particularly in grassy or wooded areas.

A wind advisory and a fire weather watch were issued Monday for parts of the Chicago area, the National Weather Service said, with dry air and gusty winds of up to 50 miles-per-hour possible at times.

While temperatures are expected in the low 50s Thursday, National Weather Service officials cautioned a storm system on the horizon could possibly create localized ice jam flooding on rivers.

St. Louis and parts of Illinois face a cold start to the week, with NWS issuing advisories and temperatures dropping sharply.

Trainings for Illinois residents looking to join the National Weather Service's severe storm spotter program will be held virtually for the first time this year. There will also be in-person Community Weather Preparedness training sessions.

A cold weather advisory was in effect Saturday to Monday across all of north and central Illinois. Wind chills in Chicago could hit minus 22 Sunday and minus 21 Monday. City officials are urged to expand capacity at warming centers and keep them open 24 hours.

Dangerous cold and biting wind chills are expected across Central Illinois in the early part of the week, according to the National Weather Service at Lincoln. ❄️ Wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin after just half an hour.

A cold weather advisory is in effect for a wide swath of central Illinois means area schools are closing or going to e-learning.

The city saw its warmest-ever Jan. 30 in 1988; it was 53 degrees. Milwaukee's average Jan. 30 high is 31 degrees.

Two dogs have tragically perished in Decatur, Illinois, succumbing to the brutal winter weather gripping the Midwest.