The final day of 2024 in Chicago is marked by persistent rainfall, leading into a potentially snowy New Year's Eve, according to a report from Fox 32 Chicago. The rain is expected to continue throughout the day, posing a damp backdrop for the NHL Winter Classic event hosted at Wrigley Field. Temperatures are forecasted to hover in the lower 40s before a possibility of light snow emerges as the city transitions into 2025.
While snow showers may grace the night, a 30% chance of precipitation is predicted, as stated by the National Weather Service, with low temperatures around 27 degrees and winds from the west-northwest at 15 mph. Flurries could follow post-midnight, making for a chilly, partly sunny New Year's Day with high temps near freezing. Thursday's forecast is similar, with a high again around 30 degrees, but it may feel warmer without the previous day's wind gusts which could reach as high as 30 mph.
The weather is slated to turn even colder moving into the weekend, with highs only in the 20s and nightly lows dropping to the teens. Fox 32 Chicago notes that there's a looming question over the potential for snow on Sunday night or Monday, and while a storm system does appear in computer models, it is predicted to pass well south of Chicago, sparing residents from a more severe weather event. Still, the city is bracing for much colder conditions, which could be exacerbated if the forecasted snowstorm shifts course and impacts the area directly.
Looking ahead, the coming week is anticipated to bring more frigid weather, possibly the coldest the city has experienced in a significant span. With growing confidence among forecasters regarding this drop in temperature, there's also a watchful eye on the potential snowstorm, which could contribute to an even chillier atmosphere across Chicago.
