Accumulating Snow Expected Over Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend
Accumulating snow is likely over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but there are still questions as to how much snow the Chicago area will see. The approaching storm system remained about 1,000 miles off the coast of the Pacific Northwest as of Wednesday morning, so there will be adjustments to the forecast over the next few days. But surprisingly, there is a good consensus on the timing of this storm among the forecast models, even though we’re several days out.
NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes breaks down what we know so far and when it could happen. The storm system is still far away, but the forecast models are in agreement on the timing, which is unusual for a storm that is still several days away.
Friday Night Forecast
Friday is going to be cold and quiet. Snow isn’t expected to develop until after midnight Friday night and into Saturday. The snow will be light as it begins to move in, so accumulations will be minor, likely a dusting. This means that you can expect a quiet Friday evening with no significant snowfall, but things will start to change as the night wears on.
Saturday Morning Forecast
Snow continues and some locations may see a couple of inches through Saturday morning. The snow will be light to moderate, with some areas seeing more snow than others. This is a good time to check the latest forecast updates to see how much snow you can expect in your area.
Saturday Afternoon and Evening Forecast
Snow picks up and rates could exceed 1 inch per hour for several hours. Accumulations are expected to ramp up through Saturday evening. This means that the snow will be falling heavily at times, and you can expect significant accumulations by the end of the day.
Saturday Night into Sunday Morning Forecast
There are three variables to watch for during the overnight hours:
- Warmer air will be pushing northward from the south, which could create a wintry mix (best chance south of I-80) and cut down on snow totals.
- The wind is also going to shift off Lake Michigan, and water temperatures are in the upper 40s right now. So there may be a wintry mix setting up near the lake as well.
- Drier air in the mid-levels of the atmosphere may scale down the snow for the northwestern suburbs, or transition the snow to drizzle overnight.
Sunday Morning Forecast
The snow comes to an end. Lake effect snow may continue in northwest Indiana through the morning before shifting into western Michigan in the afternoon. This means that the snow will be ending, but some areas may still see some lake effect snow.
Snow Totals
An early look at snow amounts puts most of the Chicago area in the 3-6 inch range. The western and northern suburbs away from the lake will have the best chance to get more than 6 inches of snow through Sunday morning. There is a scenario with higher snow amounts, so we’ll continue to update as we begin to get a clearer picture from short-range forecast models.
Whatever snow we end up with will stick around for a while as even colder air moves in for the first week of December. This means that you can expect the snow to last for several days, and you should plan accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, accumulating snow is expected over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with the potential for significant accumulations in some areas. The storm system is still several days away, but the forecast models are in agreement on the timing. We will continue to update the forecast as we get closer to the storm, so be sure to check back for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much snow can I expect?
A: An early look at snow amounts puts most of the Chicago area in the 3-6 inch range, with the western and northern suburbs away from the lake having the best chance to get more than 6 inches of snow through Sunday morning.
Q: When will the snow start and end?
A: The snow is expected to start after midnight Friday night and into Saturday, and will continue through Saturday evening. The snow will come to an end by Sunday morning, with some areas possibly seeing lake effect snow.
Q: Will the snow stick around?
A: Yes, whatever snow we end up with will stick around for a while as even colder air moves in for the first week of December.
Q: What should I do to prepare for the storm?
A: You should plan accordingly and make sure you have everything you need before the storm hits. This includes stocking up on food and supplies, and making sure your vehicle is winter-ready.
