Chicagoans are bracing for winter, with forecasts showing a mix of cloudy skies and potential snowfall in the coming days. According to the National Weather Service, Thursday will see mostly cloudy skies with highs around 35 degrees, while at night the temperatures are expected to dip to 29 degrees with some calming winds.
A similar pattern continues into Friday, with mostly cloudy conditions and a small bump in temperature up to 37 degrees. However, the weather takes a turn the following night as snow chances kick in after midnight. Limited Snow Risk is on the forecast for Saturday, with snow likely and cloudy conditions persisting into the evening, bringing the lows back to around 31 degrees, stated the National Weather Service.
As the weekend winds down, the snow showers may taper off by Sunday noon, but the community should not get too comfortable. A "strong snow system" is being monitored for the next week, potentially commencing late Monday and carrying on through Tuesday. This system could bring accumulating snow alongside a drop in temperatures, CBS Chicago reported.
Looking ahead, hazardous weather conditions are predicted with elevated snow risk for the early part of next week. Along with the snow, residents should prepare for a limited non thunderstorm wind risk which could evolve into gale force by mid-week. The windy conditions are forecast for both land and the Illinois and Indiana nearshore waters of Lake Michigan, potentially leading to hazardous conditions for small craft, per the National Weather Service alert.
