Illinois wakes up this Saturday to a gray, brooding sky over Chicago as cold air presses along the lakefront. Wind curls around buildings, carrying a brisk sting that hints at what’s coming. Pavement stays mostly dry for now, but the city stands on the edge of a meaningful winter shift that could complicate post-Thanksgiving travel.
According to the National Weather Service, Chicago turns mostly cloudy today with highs in the mid-30s. Light flakes may appear by this afternoon, but the bigger story arrives tonight. Meteorologists now expect a developing snow shield to sweep in from the west, bringing a high likelihood of accumulating snow across the metro area. Drivers should watch for slick spots on I-90, I-94, and Lake Shore Drive as visibility drops and slushy patches form.
Models hint at a “winter tease” pattern that could produce several inches of snow near and northwest of the city, though exact totals depend on band placement. To be fair, the storm lacks blockbuster strength, but timing alone could slow thousands of travelers returning home from holiday gatherings. Wind gusts up to 25 mph may create swirling flakes through late evening.
This weekend marks the lead-in to a far larger December change. A deep trough is expected to spill well-below-normal temperatures from the northern Plains to the Great Lakes from December 2 through December 6. That cold push could energize additional snow chances across the Midwest—especially in areas already preparing for a major system capable of producing 8 inches or more closer to the Wisconsin–Illinois border.
Sunday brings scattered snow showers before drier weather returns. Early next week remains cold, with another chance of snow Tuesday.
