When will it snow in the Chicago area? What to expect in the coming days – NBC Chicago

On By Littum

When could the Chicago area see its first snowflakes? The answer could come just in time for the start of the holiday season.

According to the National Weather Service, Chicago typically sees its first trace of snowfall, defined as snowfall of less than one-tenth of an inch, by October 31. The same data also showed that the city typically sees its first measurable snowfall, defined as any amount of snow of one-tenth of an inch. or more, no later than 18 Nov.

This year, the city has not yet seen either, per Nov 15

However, this is not unexpected as forecasts have shown that area temperatures are and will likely continue to be above average for this time of year.

Climate Prediction Center’s latest modeling indicated that there is a “70-to-80% chance that the city, along with the rest of Illinois, will see above-average temperatures between November 14-22.”

Still, the first flakes of snow could soon be on the horizon, but it all depends on how a wet system sets up.

Starting Monday night, an active weather pattern will arrive, NBC 5 meteorologist Alicia Roman said this week, leading to rain through Tuesday morning. Monday and Tuesday will likely see warmer temperatures before a big drop on Thursday, she said, when the chance for the season’s first flakes moves in.

According to NBC 5 meteorologist Iisha Scott, there is a chance for some snow to mix with the rain Wednesday night and into Thursday, but “it depends on how much moisture is left as colder air moves in.”

As of Friday, however, the system appeared to be trending more toward rain, and Scott said that while there are some snowflakes, it won’t be that much.

By the end of the next 10 days, temperatures are expected to have dropped into the upper 30s and low 40s.

For those curious, the last time Chicago went snowless to start the season was December 5, 1999. The most recent first measurable snowfall of the year occurred in December 2021, when the city didn’t see a tenth of an inch of snow or more until three days after Christmas.