70 degrees makes it tough to muster up Christmas spirit

This week's warm temperatures are making it tough to get into the Christmas spirit.

Temperatures soared to a balmy 70 degrees or higher across much of Illinois as Monday felt more like spring than the wintry cold that normally arrives in December.

Temperatures hit 70 at O'Hare International Airport — Chicago's official weather station — and 72 at Midway Airport. The National Weather Service says the average temperature for Dec. 3 is 39 degrees.

It's only the third time temperatures have hit 70 in December since record-keeping began 142 years ago.

The warmth prompted people to venture out in shorts and shirt sleeves instead of coats and hats — and makes it a bit easier to get those holiday lights up.

If you're hoping for a dusting of snow for a backdrop to your holiday lights, looks like we'll be out of luck until at least Monday — which is a day after the deadline for the Daily Herald's holiday lights contest.

Temperatures will be falling the rest of the week, dipping into the 30s today and the 20s Wednesday night. Rain is in the forecast over the weekend.

Monday's forecast call for a slight chance of snow.