Dreaming of a white Christmas?
Don’t be fooled by an unseasonably warm Wednesday, Chicago. We’re set for an arctic blast over the next 48 hours which will bring with it teeth-chattering temperatures and a good chance of snow. Despite the rain in some areas, Wednesday hit the mid-50s but it will now take a big plunge to below 20 degrees right in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Early morning clouds will give way to sunshine and above average highs in the mid 40s today. The first true Arctic blast of the season arrives Thursday and Friday with wind chills between 10 and 10 below zero. https://t.co/YVTzXdkhqK
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) December 22, 2020
The autumnal warmth of Wednesday brought with it strong gusts with some reaching up to 55 mph in the afternoon. These are set to stick around until Thursday morning but the temperature certainly isn’t. According to National Weather Service, “A powerful Arctic front will bring the unseasonably mild weather to an abrupt end, with plummeting temperatures and continued strong and gusty winds through tonight.”
Do you have some last minute things to do outside? If you haven't already heard, arctic air is on the way! – PC #swiwx pic.twitter.com/SuR3JPJGbF
— NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) December 23, 2020
The National Weather Service also predicts a white Christmas with “Flurries or light snow showers, and can’t rule out a coating of snow in some locations by Christmas morning.” Despite the chance that snow will coat parts of Chicago, temperatures are expected to rise again on Saturday meaning snow isn’t sticking around in Chicago just yet. For more details and weather forecasts head to the National Weather Service webpage.