Warm Friday ahead before cool stretch moves in for Chicago area

CHICAGO (CBS) — Following pleasant weather all week, big swings in temperature are coming.

Overnight, star gazers away from city lights may be treated to a great showing of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis.

Warm southwest winds boost highs into the 80s on Friday – only a few degrees shy of Oct. 11 record highs in the Chicago area. A pair of cold fronts drop temperatures this weekend into early next week.

Behind the first cool front Saturday, there will be a large range in temperatures from near 80 degrees in Kankakee to the mid-60s on the north shore. A few showers and thunderstorms will be possible.

The second push of cool air arrives Sunday mainly dry, but with strong north winds for Chicago Marathon runners.

Monday, expect the coolest air since April with highs locked in the 50s, mainly gray skies, and a few periods of light lake-effect rain.

What to expect tonight

Clear and cool, with a low of 53

Mostly sunny on Friday

Very warm, with a high of 83

A few showers and storms on Saturday

Turning cooler, with a high of 68