With temperatures in full decline and frost warnings in the Chicago area, the question of when the first snow of the season will arrive is in the air. Although snow is not expected in the immediate forecast, the city is already preparing for the first signs of winter. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the first light snowfalls usually make their appearance in late October, marking the start of winter weather.
Historically, the first traces of light snow, those that are barely noticeable and leave no accumulation, they occur on average on October 31. This is the approximate date on which snowflakes begin to fall, although they do not always manage to stay on the ground, he points out. Telemundo.
The earliest snowfall recorded in Chicago was on September 25 in the years 1928 and 1942, while the latest occurred on December 5, 1999. These early snowfalls are usually brief and light, which is a small anteroom of what is to come in the colder months.
The average indicates that the first snowfall occurs on October 31 (Photo: Archive)SCOTT OLSON – GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA
The most significant snowfalls, those that leave a minimum accumulation of 1 inch or more, usually occur after November 18. However, on some occasions, snow can come earlier. The earliest drop on record was on October 12, 2006, while the latest occurred on December 28, 2021according to Telemundo.
One of the main unknowns for this winter is how it will influence the phenomenon of The Girl in Chicago weather. This climate phenomenon, which affects temperature and precipitation in different parts of the world, is gaining strength in the Pacific and could have a significant impact on the Great Lakes area.
La Niña is characterized by a cooling of the waters in the Pacific Ocean, which causes the trade winds to strengthen and move the warm waters towards Asia. This pattern causes the polar jet streams to move further north, promoting wetter weather in the Great Lakes and droughts in the southern United States. Impact on Chicago could mean more stormsalthough it remains to be seen whether these will manifest themselves in the form of rain or snow; or even both.
Winter in Chicago is quite uncertain for experts (Photo: File)Josh Sanabria / Unsplash
Although the first light snowfalls usually fall at the end of October, Snow is not expected to make an immediate appearance in Chicago this year. As the La Niña phenomenon gains strength, winter in Chicago could bring more storms and wetter weather than usual. The city must be prepared for a winter that, according to forecasts, could be more unpredictable than usual.
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