Developing low pressure to the south and an approaching cold front from the northwest combine for a change to colder conditions on Monday and a chance of snow later in the day. As a prelude however, bolstered by southerly winds and sunny skies, today should mark Chicago’s warmest Christmas Eve in nearly 2 decades—the mercury last rose as high as 48° on Dec. 24 back in 1987. Winds will shift northerly Monday and gradually strengthen pulling colder air into the area which will entwine into the northern sector of a large low pressure system developing well to the south. The result will probably mean bare ground will greet Chicagoans Christmas morning, but as the low center moves northeast, there is a good chance that snow could develop here in the afternoon and continue at night giving a Christmassy “feel” to the holiday. In stark contrast the southeastern U.S. next couple days may see warm temperatures and severe thunderstorms.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
