Chicago, brace yourselves! You might be digging out from under a mountain of snow this weekend. We're talking potentially ten inches – enough to make you seriously consider hibernating until spring! After a surprisingly mild winter last year, Mother Nature seems determined to make up for lost time.
That's right, Chicago is under a winter storm warning, and we're expecting a significant snowfall event, possibly the biggest we've seen in nearly five years. The National Weather Service is predicting that some areas could see over 10 inches of the white stuff on Saturday alone. Get ready to dust off those snow shovels and claim your parking spots with 'dibs' – it's going to be a snowy one!
The snow is anticipated to begin falling early Saturday morning, intensifying throughout the day, and gradually tapering off late Saturday night into Sunday morning. So, plan your weekend accordingly – indoor activities are highly recommended.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire Chicagoland area from 3 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. This means that conditions will be hazardous, and travel is strongly discouraged. But here's where it gets controversial... some people believe that a little snow shouldn't stop anyone, while others prioritize safety above all else. Where do you stand? Let us know in the comments!
If you absolutely must drive, the National Weather Service urgently advises that you keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. It's always better to be prepared, especially in these conditions. Consider a charged phone and a portable charger too! Think of it as a winter survival kit for your car.
It might feel like ages since you last used your snowblower, and you'd be right. The last time Chicago saw a snowfall of 6 inches or more was back on February 15, 2021, according to National Weather Service data. And this is the part most people miss... last winter was exceptionally mild, leading many to believe that Chicago winters were becoming a thing of the past.
To put it in perspective, Chicago's O'Hare Airport, the city's official weather reporting station, recorded only 11.9 inches of snowfall last winter, according to WGN-TV meteorologist Bill Snyder. "It was the 10th least snowy on record, and the least snowiest since 1937," Snyder noted. That’s a long time to go without a proper Chicago winter!
Interestingly, Saturday's storm will technically be classified as an autumn event, as meteorological winter officially begins on December 1st. So, we're squeezing in one last blast of fall weather, albeit a very wintery one!
Looking ahead, after the snow clears, expect colder-than-average temperatures to persist throughout next week. And the fun doesn't stop there – additional snowfall is possible Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. So, it looks like winter is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.
This weather event raises an important question: How prepared is Chicago for a significant snowfall event after such a mild winter? Are the city's snow removal resources adequate? And what about individuals who may struggle to shovel snow or afford proper winter gear? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
