Chicago braces for yet another snowy showdown this Monday — and this one follows a record-shattering weekend that’s already made history.
If you thought Saturday’s storm was intense, you’re right. Chicago didn’t just get hit hard; it rewrote the record books. O’Hare International Airport measured an incredible 8.4 inches of snow on November 29, toppling the previous November single-day snowfall record of 8.0 inches set way back on November 6, 1951. For weather enthusiasts and winter lovers, it’s a milestone moment. But for everyone else? It’s a chilling reminder that winter in Chicago means business.
And the temperature drop isn’t letting up anytime soon. With the fresh snowpack reflecting heat and skies clearing overnight, temperatures are set to nosedive. The far western and northwestern suburbs could see readings tumble to near zero, while Chicago and areas near I-80 can expect lows in the low to mid-teens. It’s the kind of cold that bites right through gloves if you linger outside too long.
Monday morning will bring calm but frigid conditions — the quiet before yet another snow event. By afternoon and into the evening, fresh flakes will start falling once again. This next system isn’t expected to be as intense as the record-breaking storm, but it will still make its presence known. Commuters should brace for slippery roads and slowed traffic during the afternoon and evening rush hours. Forecast models suggest totals of 2 to 4 inches south of I-80 and about 1 to 3 inches to the north.
Tuesday doesn’t offer much of a thaw. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, keeping morning lows locked in the teens and afternoon highs limited to the mid-20s. For early December, that’s about 15 degrees below average — a significant chill that stands out even for Chicago’s notoriously fickle weather.
By Wednesday, light snow showers could return, though accumulation should be minimal. Daytime highs will tick upward into the low 30s, but don’t get used to it. Another sharp temperature decrease is waiting just beyond midweek.
Thursday morning will test even the hardiest Chicagoans. Lows are expected to hover just above zero, with wind chill values plunging below it. Depending on how conditions evolve, this could be cold enough to trigger a Cold Weather Advisory. Even under mostly sunny skies, afternoon highs will struggle to reach the mid-teens — a stark reminder of just how unforgiving Midwest winters can be.
Friday brings yet another passing chance for light, scattered snow showers, with temperatures remaining locked in the low 20s. For the weekend, computer models hint at a small reprieve: a modest warming trend that could lift highs back toward 30 degrees for both Saturday and Sunday. But don’t celebrate just yet — forecasters warn that another Arctic blast is on course to arrive Sunday night and extend into next Monday.
So here’s the big question: after smashing snow records and bracing for repeated rounds of Arctic cold, are we in for a historically severe winter — or is this just a powerful early-season punch? Let’s hear your take: is Chicago’s winter off to an exciting start, or are you already counting the days until spring?
