Light snow across the area yesterday evening was just enough to add a final Christmas touch to the holiday but not enough to cause great inconvenience. An inch of fluffy, low water content snow fell within a few miles of Lake Michigan but only 0.1” was reported farther inland.
The snow heralds the onset of a multiday period of moderating temperatures that will culminate in readings breaking 50º toward the middle and end of next week, along with a good deal of rain.
Yesterday’s snow notwithstanding, snow production this month has been meager, and moderating temperatures suggest the remainder of December will be free of accumulating snow. Chicago’s normal December snowfall is 9-10”.
Snow was anything but scarce in southern Alaska on this date in 1955 when that state’s biggest snowstorm on record began. When the last flakes fell on Dec. 31, 175.4”—more than 14.5 feet—had fallen at Thompson Pass.
By Richard Koeneman, WGN-TV Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
