Snow to hit Chicago area tonight but likely won't stay around for Christmas
Two rounds of snow could coat parts of the Chicago area with 1 to 2 inches of snow by Saturday morning but don't expect a white Christmas.
Snow showers are expected to move into the Chicago area Thursday night, mixing with a bit of rain, by Friday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Zachary Yack. Another round of snow will hit the area late Friday night.
The north suburbs will see the bulk of the snow.
Lake-effect snow will fall on northwest Indiana before dissipating Saturday.
Periodic snow chances start later this afternoon and continue through Friday morning. The weekend will be dry, but chilly. Milder temps arrive early next week accompanied by some rain chances. pic.twitter.com/gAFeJfnPm5
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 19, 2024
“Chicago has an 80 to 90% chance of seeing snow,” Yack said, adding there will likely be winds of 30 to 35 mph Friday. “The tricky part of this forecast is how roads will respond.”
A cold front is expected to move in Saturday and bring high temperatures in the upper 20s before returning to the low 30s on Sunday.
Chicago is not expected to have a white Christmas — defined as when 1 inch of snow is on the ground, Yack said. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 30s or lower 40s with a possibility of rain on Christmas Eve, extending through Christmas.
The last white Christmas here was in 2022.
On average, Chicago gets one every three years, so Yack said 2025 may be the year.
"We are not expecting white Christmas," Yack said. “I guess next year will be our best bet."