The Chicago area has seen a cool and occasionally rainy start to fall, but what do the forecasts indicate for the rest of the season?
According to the first extended forecastvalid for the first week of October, meteorologists are leaning upward in terms of temperatures for Illinois and northern Indiana between October 1 and 5:
More confidence is showing for the second week of October, with forecasters saying temperatures in Illinois and northern Indiana “will likely be above” normal:
Confidence drops slightly in the third week of October, with forecasters once again “leaning” toward above-average temperatures:
To put things into context, average temperatures in the city of Chicago in early October typically sit in the upper 60s, but by the end of the month the average high in the city is just 56 degrees, according to the National Meteorological Service.
In fact, the first normal date on which the city sees its First trace of snow is on October 31stBy November 18, the city has typically seen its first measurable snowfall of the season, defined as 0.1 inches or more, and by December 7 the city has typically seen its first snowfall of one inch or more.
Forecasters also believe the area is in for below-average rainfall during the early stages of the month, but said they suspect Illinois and Indiana could see at least some relief from the droughts that have been plaguing the region.
Chicago typically receives about 3.4 inches of rain in the month of October, according to NWS data.
As for current forecast models, highs are expected to drop after an area of low pressure moves through the Chicago area this weekend, though highs are still expected to be in the upper 60s under partly to mostly sunny skies.
Stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for the latest news and weather information.
