Chicago's First Snow Expected This Week

Thursday snow could break the 287-day drought

A white Christmas remains questionable, but after a record 287 days without snow, Chicago finally could see the stuff Midwest winters are made of this week.

NBC Chicago meteorologist Andy Avalos is tracking a rain-snow mix Thursday morning in far northwest locations. Rain could switch to snow by mid-day with actual accumulation possible in the afternoon and evening.

As conditions turn windy and colder, in the mid-30s and 20s, lake effect snow showers could continue Friday morning in Chicago as well as in north central Indiana and southwest Michigan.

The rest of the week is set to feel cloudy, damp and chilly with a few sprinkles or light showers possible in suburban locations.

Monday's high in the low 40s holds through Wednesday as light rain and clouds persist.

Chicago reached its snowless peak last Thursday after a negligible snowfall couldn't keep the city from breaking the record for longest stretch of snowless days set in 1994.

The last time the Chicago area saw a "measurable amount" of snow was March 4, when three-tenths of an inch accumulated.

That's unusual in the Windy City. Two winters ago, the largest snowstorm in Chicago history drenched the city and left hundreds of cars stranded on Lake Shore Drive.
 

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