Chicago

When Will It End? Wednesday Snow Could Be the Last

Well, Chicago, the bad news is there will likely be more snow this week. But the good news is this could be the last of it.

Winter is expected to take its final breath, ushering in one last exhale of cold air that will bring with it freezing rain, sleet and snow.

The first round of the system begins Wednesday as skies turn overcast and rain showers develop west of Chicago following the morning rush hour. The rain could begin as freezing rain as it inches in the Chicago area, transitioning to light rain and possibly even a thunderstorm or two heading into the afternoon.

The rain will begin mixing with sleet and snow to the north and west in the afternoon, ultimately turning to snow for the evening hours for the rest of the area.

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The snow will move across the area, lingering into early Thursday morning as flurries before fading out.

There will likely be little to no accumulation with this system, though some areas far north of Chicago could see up to an inch or two.

Could this be the end?

Long-range projections show warmer air could be here to stay beginning at the end of April, with no accumulating snow in the forecast.

So far, this April has been the second-coldest on record. By its end, it could be the coldest ever-recorded in Chicago’s history.

“This is a huge deviation,” said NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Andy Avalos. “It’s not your imagination.”

Tuesday marks the first time in nine days the area will see no precipitation, according to records. It’s also the first time in the last four days temperatures have reached 40 degrees.

But who’s counting?

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