Back-to-back winter systems set up snowy week leading to a frigid weekend
Chicago can expect more snow going into the weekend, as several winter systems are expected to hit the area starting Wednesday morning.
The area is forecast to see high winds and up to 1 inch of snow Wednesday, making the morning commute difficult, the National Weather Service said.
Another winter system is expected to move into the area Thursday evening, bringing up to 3 inches of snow into Friday morning, NWS Chicago meteorologist Ricky Castro said.
Fluffy snow is forecast for Chicago on Saturday morning. Castro said it’s too early to predict the amount of accumulation, as “a lot can change,” but a few inches of snow is possible.
After a brief warm-up in temperature earlier in the week, with daytime highs in the 30s, the temperature is expected to drop Thursday into the 20s. The wind chill is forecast to dip below zero Friday evening, and the snow Saturday morning will keep the temperature between 10 to 19 degrees.
Castro also warned of bitterly cold temperatures Saturday evening going into Sunday morning. He said wind chills as low as minus-25 are possible.
The snow forecast for this week will add to an already snowy start to the winter season. As of Sunday, Chicago has seen 17.1 inches of snow, nearly matching the 17.6 inches the city saw all of last season, and making it the snowiest start to winter since 1978.