Record high temperatures set Thursday morning: weather service

The day wasn’t a minute old by the time it set the record for the warmest Dec. 26 Chicago has ever seen.

The recorded temperature of 56 degrees at 12 a.m. Thursday was a new high for the date, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 55 degrees, set in 1971.

Average afternoon highs on Dec. 26 usually clock in at about 32 degrees, the weather service said.

Temperatures climbed even further later in the day, reaching 62 degrees at Midway International Airport by 2 p.m., according to the weather service.

Temperatures were expected to plummet later Thursday, however, dipping nearly to freezing.

Though Friday’s high will only peak around 40 degrees, the balmy temperatures are expected to persist through the rest of the week, with highs in the mid 50s over the weekend, the weather service said.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

The record-setting day follows the second-warmest Christmas ever recorded, which drew throngs of residents and tourists outside to enjoy the unseasonable warmth.

According to weather service meteorologist Gino Izzi, the mild weather can be chalked up to a jet stream of southernly winds which are drawing warm air into the area.

The city will crash back down to reality next week, when temperatures crest in the low-to-mid 30s Monday and Tuesday.

Teenagers take pictures at DuSable Harbor during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Shawn Link, 24, and his wife, 20-year-old Cauriana Link, from downstate Eureka, ice skate in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A man walks his dog on Michigan Avenue at Monroe Street during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Oliver Brumwell, 8, of Lake View, plays football with his friend in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Brittney Alvarez, 22, of Plainfield, practices ice skating in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Patrice Franklin, 50, visiting from Houston for the holidays, plays frisbee with her family in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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M.J. De Valle, 13, and her 14-year-old brother Lucas De Valle jump for a photo in front of Cloud Gate, commonly known as “The Bean,” during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Ricky Martinez, 10, of Avondale, plays football with his friend in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Paul, Allison and 2-year-old Miles Demyanovich, of Oak Park, picnic in Millennium Park with Allison’s sister Erika Rosenwinkel, of the South Loop, during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People congregate at Cloud Gate, commonly known as “The Bean,” during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Dozens of people ice skate in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People walk through Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A man rides a Divvy bike on Lake Shore Drive during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People enjoy the weather at Oak Street Beach during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Daniel De Valle takes a selfie with his children, 13-year-old M.J. and 14-year-old Lucas De Valle, in front of Cloud Gate, commonly known as “The Bean,” during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People ride bikes on the Lakefront Trail during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Ivy Walczak, 2, rides her scooter while her mom walks a short distance behind her in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Dozens of people ice skate in Millennium Park during record high temperatures for Chicago on the day after Christmas, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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