LOGAN SQUARE — Rather than warming up by the fire with a glass of leftover eggnog, Matt and Jessica Lash strapped on their helmets and went for a long bike ride together in Logan Square on the day after Christmas, an activity typically reserved for warmer months.
Friday afternoon saw temperatures as high as 50 degrees, and the city is supposed to see more sunshine within the next several days, according to Frank Wachowski, who operates the official North West Side Midway Airport sunlight observatory.
That means the city will likely not break the record for darkest December, Wachowski said.
Last week, the city was on track to break the record for darkest December since 1975, when the National Weather Service recorded 19 percent sun exposure.
As of of Friday, Wachowski recorded 22 percent sun exposure.
Still, 22 percent is below average. Normally, there's 41 percent sun exposure in December, he said.
From Dec. 12 - Dec. 22, the city had only seen 33 minutes of sunshine.
Though sunshine within the next several days is possible, National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Mott said there's a cold front moving through the city tomorrow afternoon with a chance of rain.
He said Sunday will see temperatures in the 30s, and Chicagoans won't see temperatures that high again until Friday.
Adam Norden, 42, sat on a bench outside Friday afternoon writing in a notebook against the backdrop of a gleaming sun.
This year's winter is "already better" than last year, he said, adding that it "can't get any worse" than last year's six-month winter.
When asked how he copes during long stretches with no sunshine, Norden said he tries to keep busy and go to bed early.
After last winter he learned that "you have to get the hell out of town" during Chicago winters, he said.
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