Last year Chicago saw its first snowfall bright and early on Halloween, but this year the imminent winter weather has been a bit slower to crop up.
But make no mistake, winter weather is on its way, and the Windy City could even see its first snow tonight.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts scattered rain and snow showers to effect the Chicago region before 9pm this evening. Scatted snow showers will then continue into the night.
The spotty snow showers could continue into Thursday morning, according to the NWS, but are expected to turn into rain by 2pm.
Chicago’s first snow fall usually occurs on October 31, but amounts to little more than flurries.
The first snowfall to accumulate 0.1 inches of snow or more typically happens around November 18, while the first significant snowfall of 1 inch or more usually doesn’t come until early December in Chicago.
While the first Chicago snow shower might be a bit behind schedule this year, there’s a chance we could see colder and snowier temperatures overall this coming winter.
Recent predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) indicate a colder winter for much of the upper Midwest, as well as wetter-than-normal conditions which could produce increased snowfall.
This seasonal forecast is influenced by the La Niña weather pattern which is predicted to take effect within the next two months. During the La Niña pattern, cooler air develops over the pacific equatorial region, impacting weather across North America.
Notably, the La Niña weather pattern has coincided with some of Chicago’s most infamous winter storms including the North American Blizzard of 1999 and the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard.