Chicagoans are bracing for a chilly weekend with potential snow showers, though two major snowstorms are expected to largely bypass the city. According to the National Weather Service, today will be partly sunny with highs peaking near 29 degrees, and by tonight, a 40 percent chance of snow, could see some flurries hitting the streets between 7 pm and 3 am. Friday is looking mostly cloudy, offering a 30 percent chance of more snow showers in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, FOX 32 Chicago reports that temperatures will struggle to hit the mid 20s today, and any snow from the first storm is not anticipated to affect the city significantly. The coverage mentions that Chicagoans living farther southwest might see a couple of inches from the system moving through tonight into tomorrow morning. The upcoming arctic chill, however, is a moot point; highs over the weekend are expected to hover barely in the double digits with windchills potentially diving to 20 degrees below zero.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service forecasts a low of around 25 degrees tonight with a south-southwest wind turning northeast after midnight. The weekend continues to look severe, with a high near 13 on Saturday and wind gusts potentially reaching 20 mph, bringing a 50 percent chance of snow.
In a glimpse of relief from the cold snap, the prolonged weather forecast suggests a shift in patterns that might usher in milder air next week. According to FOX 32 Chicago, "The good news regarding temperatures is that a pattern shift is looking increasingly likely heading into next week which would bring milder air into our area and shut off the persistent barrage of snowmakers." This outlook could mean that while the weekend will see Chicagoans bundling up against an assertive winter, the city could soon find respite with friendlier skies and temperatures on the horizon.
