All of Chicagoland recorded the warmest readings since late November, with O’Hare climbing to 38°. For winter-weary Chicagoans, milder above freezing high temperatures should continue right on through the next week. Friday’s high should easily reach into the 40s for the first time this month. On only two occasions since 1870 has December failed to reach 40°, most recently in 2000, when the high for December was only 36° and the monthly snow totaled 41.3 inches. This December, Chicago is currently running 11.2° below normal with 10.1” of snow.
However, amidst this warming trend is a chance for a fresh coating of new snow in the morning hours of Christmas as a developing low passes to our south. With the absence of arctic air and high dew points, most precipitation should occur as rain before changing to snow near the end of the event Christmas morning.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
