The forecast maximum temperature at Dixon, Illinois for Wednesday is -18F.
Dixon, IL 10-Day Weather Forecast – The Weather Channel | Weather.com
If the forecast is accurate, that would be the coldest afternoon on record at Dixon since 1895. The previous record of -14 F was set on Christmas Day, 1983 and January 19, 1994.
The two previous records were aided by volcanic dust blocking sunlight from the eruptions of El Chichón in 1982 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. After those eruptions, temperatures spiked in the stratosphere, and cooled in the troposphere. Note that all five of the previous coldest days were set during the last 35 years.
RSS / MSU and AMSU Data / Time Series Trend Browser
So where is all this cold Arctic air coming from? Climate experts say Arctic winters are super hot and melting with crazy temperature rises. 
The North Pole is an insane 36 degrees warmer than normal as winter descends – The Washington Post
In the real world outside the ivory towers of academia, journalism and politics, the Arctic is very cold, and the cold air is spilling to lower latitudes.
Ocean and Ice Services | Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut
