Mild weather in Chicago on Monday, but a cold snap will arrive later in the week

CHICAGO (CBS) — After another mild day Monday, an arctic blast is targeting Chicago.

The coldest time frame will be Thursday morning with wind chills ranging from -5 to -15.

In an earlier time frame, there is a chance of some drizzle on Sunday evening, as moisture moves our way from the Gulf of Mexico. The center of the storm will remain well south of the Chicago area, so only drizzle is expected, mainly in Northwest Indiana and south of the Kankakee River Valley.

The low for Sunday evening is 47.

Temperatures will rise back into the 50s on Monday. The high for Monday is 54, compared to a normal high of 39.

But then the polar front passes in the evening. This will open the door for cold changes.

Tuesday it will be mainly cloudy with dropping temperatures and highs around thirty degrees.

Wednesday and Thursday will be bitterly cold with strong winds. Heavy snow showers are possible on Wednesday. Then the core of the coldest air will move in on Thursday morning. This lobe of the Polar Vortex from northwestern Canada will drive southeast, pulling the brutally cold air mass overhead. This is quite rare in the first half of December.

This Arctic cold snap will be short-lived as temperatures moderate by the weekend.