Northern Illinois may see this winter’s first accumulating snow of the season Tuesday morning, which would set a record for the latest measurable snowfall of the season.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Chicago are predicting up to one inch of slushy, wet snow accumulation Tuesday morning before the precipitation changes over to rain Tuesday afternoon.
“In general we’re thinking there could be some minor accumulation up to an inch early on,” said meteorologist Rafal Ogorek. “But then the rain should move in and warmer temperatures so any accumulation should be short lived.”
Snowfall will likely be confined to areas north of Interstate 80, Ogorek said. While the snow won’t be around for long and will mostly happen in the morning Tuesday, travel could be hazardous, he said. Roads could be slippery for a few hours on Tuesday morning and visibility could be reduced in areas of heavier snowfall.
Detailed info on snow to rain Tue: Chances have increased for 1st real measurable snow of season, mainly I-80 & north. Burst of snow could cause travel impacts into early Tue afternoon with precip. changing to rain area wide by the mid aftn. Stay tuned for updates! #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/iTQhzW7vvN
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 26, 2021
For those hoping for some more accumulating snow, Ogorek said they are monitoring a possible system toward the end of the week.
“That looks like it has the potential to proceed more accumulation, but there is still some uncertainty because it’s still several days out,” Ogorek said.
The Chicago-area is in the middle of a historically snow-less period. The record for the latest first measurable snowfall was set on Dec. 20, 2012 and was broken last week as the area nears the end of a December that has yet to see snow. The next measurable snow will set the record for the latest measurable snow since record keeping began in 1909.
Typically the first measurable snow occurs on Nov. 18, according to the National Weather Service.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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