Flakes swirl across the Lake Michigan shoreline this morning as Chicago braces for another messy mid-December weather swing. What began as light snow early today will evolve into a snow-to-rain mix by Tuesday night before freezing temperatures return midweek — a classic Midwest winter tease setting up tricky travel for commuters and holiday travelers alike.
The National Weather Service in Chicago reports snow likely through early Tuesday, with up to 1 inch of accumulation possible in the city and slightly higher totals inland. By evening, rain develops as temperatures climb into the upper 30s, producing slush and slick spots on area roads. Southwesterly winds may gust 25–30 mph, especially near the lakefront.
By Wednesday, colder air surges back in, turning lingering rain back to light snow showers as highs fall into the mid-30s. Expect icy bridges and patchy black ice, particularly during the evening commute on I-90, I-94, and I-55.
Looking beyond Thursday, another clipper system could drop light snow across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin late in the week. Temperatures will bottom out by Friday morning in the teens, marking one of the coldest stretches so far this December.
Five-Day Outlook (Chicago, IL)
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high 36°F, low 33°F.
- Wednesday: Rain/snow mix, high 36°F, low 19°F.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high 25°F, low 18°F.
- Friday: Chance of snow, high 28°F, low 8°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 30°F.
