Metra Sets Tracks on Fire to Combat Cold / Warm Up Coming / Winter Storm Possible Monday

It’s been cold for days now but the Chicago area should get some relief from the freezing temps this week.

Just how cold was it? Wind chills dipped well below zero for much of the week and weekend, which lead to delays on Metra tracks due to equipment malfunctions. To keep things rolling along, Metra workers set a fire alongside the tracks to wam the steel so repairs could be made to a broken rail. This ABC7 Chicago video shows tracks on fire.

Hopefully, this week, Metra’s tracks will be fire-free as temperatures are finally expected to warm. On Monday, high temps between 28 and 31 degrees are expected while Tuesday will be even warmer with high temps between 42 and 47 degrees. On Wednesday, high temps will hover between 33 and 44 degrees for the Chicago area.

Chicago-area residents should keep an eye on the forecast for Monday night as potentially hazardous winter weather is possible, according to the National Weather Service. As commuters head home on Monday evening, a period of light snow is possible. A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is likely later Monday night. Travel could become hazardous Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

Rain and snow is again possible on Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.

Here is a more detailed look at this week’s forecast:

• Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A chance of flurries. Lows 12 to 16. Then temperatures becoming steady or slowly rising. South winds 10 to 20 mph.
• Monday: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
• Monday Night: Cloudy. Chance of light snow and light sleet in the evening...then rain...light freezing rain...light snow likely and a chance of light sleet after midnight. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation. No ice accumulation. Lows in the upper 20s. Then temperatures becoming steady or slowly rising. South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
• Tuesday: Rain likely. Blustery. Highs in the mid 40s. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain and light snow in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.
• Wednesday Night: Cloudy. Chance of light snow and rain in the evening...then rain likely and a chance of light snow after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain and light snow in the morning. Highs around 40. Then temperatures falling into the lower 30s by evening.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
• Friday And Friday Night: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s. Lows around 20.

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