First Snow Likely As Rain And Cold Arrive In Chicago Area
National Weather Service forecasts call for lake effect showers and sub-freezing lows by Friday in the Joliet and Chicago regions.
By Marco Whitaker ·
The Chicago area faces a potential first snowfall of the season this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Rain chances return after a warm start to the week, bringing cooler temperatures to the region. The forecast indicates that snowflakes may mix with lake-effect showers on Thursday night and Friday night.
Current conditions show dry and mild weather for the beginning of the workweek. Monday’s high reached 63 degrees, followed by 64 degrees on Tuesday. By Wednesday, areawide chances for rainfall return, with a high of 61 degrees. Cooler temperatures move into the area on Thursday and Friday, where highs will drop into the 40s. The service notes that lake effect showers will develop and move into northwestern Indiana and possibly northeastern Illinois.
Historical data from the weather service shows that Chicago typically sees its first trace of snow on October 31. This year has already passed that date without precipitation. The latest first date for a trace of snow in recorded history occurred in 1999, when snow finally fell on December 5. The region is also approaching the typical first date for measurable snow, defined as one-tenth of an inch or more, which is November 18. The latest first date for measurable snow in recent records happened in 2021, when measurable snow did not fall until December 28.
Specific forecasts for the Joliet area detail the shift in weather patterns. Monday features mostly sunny skies with a high near 60 degrees and light winds. Tuesday brings sunny conditions with a high near 61 degrees. Wednesday presents a 40 percent chance of showers after noon, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 56 degrees. A 30 percent chance of showers continues Wednesday night, mainly before midnight.
Thursday carries a 40 percent chance of showers and a high near 43 degrees. Thursday night offers a chance of rain with a low around 32 degrees. Friday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 43 degrees, followed by a partly cloudy night with a low around 29 degrees. Winds are generally light and variable, shifting to west southwest on Monday afternoon and becoming calm by Tuesday afternoon.
