It’s official—the abnormal chill which first roared into Chicago 11 days ago has produced the coldest Dec. 1-9 average temperature on record—16.7°. That’s a reading nearly 16 degrees below normal.
The area is on the verge of a second temperature record—this one for the greatest number of consecutive early season subfreezing temperatures. Saturday’s 27° predicted high becomes the 11th straight day of subfreezing temperatures, tying with 1976. A reinforcing burst of cold air Sunday is to produce a 12th subfreezing day—a new early season record.
The snowpack which blankets the Lower 48 continues to expand, according to a NOAA analysis. On Friday, 58.2 percent of the country was snow-covered compared to 9.6 percent a month ago and 22.1 percent the same time a year ago.
It’s one factor behind another day of record cold air Friday across four states from Texas to Missouri.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
