Forecasters are predicting a chilly kick-start to the Halloween festivities in Chicago, with snowfall anticipated tomorrow, October 31st. As noted in an NBC Chicago report, the first trace of snow usually occurring around the end of October follows the normal trend for the city. Freeze warnings apply to most of the Chicago area, with temperatures likely to drop into the 20s and 30s on Monday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has urged residents to drain or insulate the outdoor water pipes and protect tender plants from the falling temperatures, to sharply drop temperatures warnings have been triggered. Despite the chilly conditions, the clouds are set to clear for sunshine on Monday, albeit with temperatures lingering in the low 40s and high 30s, clarifies NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman. We can expect low wind chills, intensifying the cold.
An update about strong winds leading to a further decrease in temperatures on Halloween was shared by NWS Chicago in a tweet. Tomorrow morning, temperatures could plateau at only 32 degrees and crawl into the late 30s by the afternoon. The 30o F weather is projected not to let up, warnings Alicia Roman.
[4:50 AM 10/30] Snow is in the forecast for Tuesday, with some slick travel possible during the AM commute! Gusty snow showers/squalls develop midday and into the afternoon. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/n7QpLSyghZ
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) October 30, 2023
The freezing weather will also favor snowfall according to models, which shows light snow showers beginning Tuesday mid-morning and intermittently continuing through the afternoon. The NWS warns that low pressure swirling across Illinois and Northwest Indiana could impact morning and afternoon commutes negatively due to wintry weather, especially on elevated roadways. Wind gusting up to 45 miles per hour could also lead to "possible squalls" and "quick, severe visibility reductions under 1 mile."
Although the snow accumulation won't be significant in Illinois, Northwest Indiana could see some lake-effect slush that could lead to more than two inches of snowfall. Despite the harsh forecast for trick-or-treaters, temperatures are expected to eventually warm to the highs of 50s by week's end.
The frosty forecast might temper the Halloween celebratory spirit, but Chicago's residents are well accustomed to early snowfall and likely to partake in festivities regardless. Experts are advising few additional layers to protect against the typical late-October chill.
