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Enjoy warm while you can; snow is coming back

Don't put away those snowblowers yet.

We hate to cast a cloud over today's balmy temperatures in the suburbs, but another snowstorm is headed our way.

AccuWeather is predicting substantial snow overnight Tuesday with flurries lingering on Wednesday. Biting winds bring back the cold with temperatures expected to plunge back into the teens Wednesday.

Motorists can anticipate difficult driving conditions on lengthy stretches of highways and interstates. The snow could come down heavily for a time, quickly clogging roads and making travel treacherous.

Numerous flight delays and cancellations can be expected.

Plan to dress warmly if you're going to be out celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend. Temperatures are expected to be in the 30s during the day Saturday but drop into the teens overnight and not get above freezing Sunday.

But, at least we can enjoy today, we're experiencing the warmest temperatures in 3 months; the high is expected to hit 55.

March is known for its weather extremes.

The record high was 88 degrees in 1986; the record low was -12 in 1873. The record snowfall was 11.5 inches in 1954, according to the National Weather Service.

  Sleepy Hollow public works employee Kyle Killinger fills in potholes along Willow Drive Monday, while wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Even though pothole season continues, at least those that work outside got a huge break Monday with springlike temperatures. Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton College graduate student Harry Gao takes advantage of the warm temperatures to go jogging wearing shorts and a short sleeve T-shirt. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Mundelein resident Jose Ruiz clears his driveway along Bristol Court with a snowblower last Wednesday morning after an overnight snowstorm swept through Lake County. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Highest snowfalls in March

March 1: 4.6 inches in 1947

March 2: 11.5 inches in 1954

March 3: 3.9 inches in 1960

March 4: 8.5 inches 1982

March 5: 9.2 inches in 2013

March 6: 4.0 inches 1943

March 7: 10.9 inches in 1931

March 8: 5.3 inches in 1931

March 9: 6.5 inches in 1998

March 10: 2.6 inches in 1943

March 11: 4.4 inches in 1941

March 12: 4.4 inches in 1991

March 13: 2.9 inches in 1980

March 14: 8.4 inches in 1904

March 15: 3.4 inches in 1912

March 16: 6.0 inches in 1960

March 17: 4.1 inches in 1984

March 18: 4.5 inches in 1971

March 19: 4.1 inches in 1986

March 20: 6.0 inches in 1964

March 21: 8.5 inches in 1992

March 22: 3.4 inches in 1993

March 23: 7.0 inches in 1897

March 24: 4.5 inches in 1947

March 25: 13.6 inches in 1930

March 26: 8.9 inches in 1970

March 27: 2.9 inches in 1942

March 28: 5.3 inches in 1894

March 29: 7.7 inches in 1954

March 30: 7.8 inches in 1926

March 31: 4.8 inches in 1926

Source: National Weather Association

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