Chicago, IL – Illinois will stay firmly in winter’s grip through mid-December, but at least the skies will be quiet. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, issued December 1, below-normal temperatures are expected statewide from December 9 through December 15, while precipitation chances drop below average.
Forecasters say highs will remain in the low to mid-30s for much of northern Illinois and near 40 in the south. Overnight lows will fall into the 20s or teens, keeping mornings frosty from Rockford to Carbondale. Despite the chill, NOAA projects a mostly dry pattern, meaning little to no snow is expected across the state.
The setup reflects a broad Arctic air mass stretching across the Midwest and Great Lakes, but without the moisture needed for major precipitation. Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield can expect cold, sunny days and clear, calm nights, with winds staying light.
Meanwhile, the West Coast and southern states — from California to Texas — will experience above-average warmth and continued dry weather. For Illinois, however, winter’s cold remains locked in place.
Forecasters hint at a potential moderation closer to the holidays, but Arctic air is expected to dominate through at least mid-December.
