Chicagoans are bracing for a mixed bag of precipitation to close out the year, with forecasts indicating a steady procession of rain, likely mixed with snow, and gusty winds. Today's weather is expected to linger at a high near 42 degrees, accompanied by a north wind traveling 10 to 15 mph and gusting as high as 25 mph, as detailed by the National Weather Service. The chance of precipitation remains robust at 80%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.
As the sun sets, the chilly rain isn't letting up, maintaining a steady temperature of around 41 degrees. According to CBS Chicago's weather report, light rain is anticipated to taper off overnight, but not before dropping an additional quarter to half of an inch of new precipitation. To the west of the city, near the Fox River Valley and the I-39 corridor, there was a limited snow risk earlier in the day, with the possibility of minor slushy accumulations primarily on grassy areas.
Looking ahead to Friday, the National Weather Service forecasts a likelihood of continued rain, mainly before noon, with cloudy skies and a high once again near 41 degrees. The wind persists from the north at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 20 mph. As night falls, the weather is expected to clear somewhat, giving way to partly cloudy skies and a low of around 31 degrees.
For mariners, the forecast signals turbulent conditions on Lake Michigan. The weekend itself is slated to showcase mostly sunny skies on Saturday, but a 20 percent chance of snow creeps in after midnight. Sunday brings a 40 percent chance of snow, nudging the mercury to a high near 37 degrees amidst mostly cloudy skies.
As the city prepares to usher in the New Year, Chicagoans will be reaching for their winter coats with temperatures expected to hover in the 30s both on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and flurries could add a festive touch to the holiday celebrations. CBS Chicago succinctly summarizes the upcoming conditions as "colder... with flurries possible," painting a frosty picture for those ready to welcome 2024.
