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 moved into the Chicago area Thursday night, bringing a half-inch to O’Hare Airport and about an inch in some north suburbs. Another round of snow should hit the area late Friday night. National Weather Service meteorologist Zachary Yack said there will likely will be winds of 30 to 35 mph Friday.
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
“The tricky part of this forecast is how roads will respond,” Yack said.
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 Day.
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 a white Christmas,” Yack said. “I guess next year will be our best bet.”