Warm Spell May Bring Record Highs to the Midwest After This Week's Coldest Outbreak in Decades

(MORE: Polar Vortex Triggers Coldest Arctic Outbreak in at Least Two Decades)

The polar jet stream is now retreating northward toward the Canadian border into this weekend, taking the bitterly cold air mass with it, which will provide much-needed relief for those shivering in the days prior.

Temperatures will recover to closer to average for this time of year by Friday afternoon, with even milder conditions expected this weekend, when highs and lows will be above average in the Midwest.

Highs will climb into the upper 30s and 40s for much of the Midwest on Saturday, with a few 20s near the Canadian border. Sunday will be a few degrees warmer.

(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast Highs and Lows)

For example, the low in Chicago was 23 degrees below zero Wednesday morning. Sunday's forecast high is in the mid- to upper 40s.

Minneapolis/St. Paul recorded a low of 28 degrees below zero Wednesday morning. Highs on Sunday should be near 40 degrees – a near-70-degree rise in temperature in just over four days.

(MORE: Dangers to Watch for as Temperatures Warm up)

In the Northeast, above-average temperatures will return by Sunday afternoon and last through at least early next week. Highs will climb into the 40s and 50s in the Northeast early in the upcoming week, with 60s possible in parts of the mid-Atlantic.

Below-average temperatures may return to parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest early next week, but for most areas, it likely won't be as harsh as this week. The colder conditions will expand into the East late next week.