The extraordinary month-long mild spell, responsible for producing the mildest Chicago winter open in 75 years, sputters Tuesday. After 30 consecutive days of above normal temperatures—including three times the 137 year average number of 50° days—we’ve had 11 versus the 4 which have been typical to date since 1871—the chilliest readings in a month hit Tuesday. The city’s 34.7° average since Dec. 1 is an impressive 6.7°above normal and 8.7° milder than the same period a year ago. It ranks as the area’s 5th mildest meteorological winter period to date since official National Weather Service temperature records began more than a century ago.
A snow shower is possible from spells of cloudiness Tuesday—what’s left of an Alberta Clipper. Measurable snow has been elusive. It’s been 38 days since measurable snow here—the third longest measurable snow-free December/January period since 1885.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
