As the year draws to a close in Chicago, residents are bracing for a mixed bag of weather conditions that will usher in the New Year. According to the National Weather Service, the city will experience patchy fog until today's afternoon, followed by mostly cloudy skies with highs hovering around the lower 40s. In the evening, the calm before the storm will dissolve into rain, expected primarily after 1 a.m., and an increasing breeze leading into Tuesday.
Tuesday's forecast brings rain before the afternoon and a chance of rain and snow later on. The National Weather Service reports a high near 40 degrees and breezy conditions, with winds that could gust up to 30 mph. As night falls, those braving the last hours of 2023 may encounter a slight chance of rain and snow, though little to no snow accumulation is expected to hinder New Year's Eve festivities.
On New Year's Day, Chicagoans can anticipate partly sunny skies, but with the cold holding firm as highs only reach near 30 degrees. Meanwhile, FOX 32 Chicago outlines the broader outlook for the week as it "opens with a blast of colder air" and persistent cold with highs in the 20s and lows from 10 to 20 degrees.
The real apprehension, however, comes from the potential for significant snow late Sunday into early Monday. Details remain uncertain, with weather models varying widely and meteorologists cautioning against premature excitement. "The gorilla in the forecast room is the potential for significant snow late Sunday into early Monday," as detailed by FOX 32 Chicago, there is careful avoidance of any definitive predictions at this stage. The forecast station promises to provide "timely and prudent updates" as the week progresses.
