Lake Michigan influences the climate of Chicago and most of northeastern Illinois. Not only do the built up areas cause warmer temperatures but they also increase the runoff of rainwater, leading to increased flooding. This particle feature of the urban climate is usually called the "urban heat island effect." Urban areas also cause changes in humidity, cloudiness, wind speeds and directions. In some cases, this difference can be higher. For example, Chicago tends to be warmer by 2☏, on average, especially at night. Buildings, parking lots, roads, and industrial activities make the urban climate noticeably different than that of surrounding rural areas. The first local feature is the urban climate in the Chicago metropolitan area. The settled weather associated with high-pressure systems is generally ended every few days by the passage of low-pressure systems. The polar jet stream often is located near or over Illinois, especially in fall, winter, and spring, and is the focal point for the creation and movement of low-pressure storm systems characterized by clouds, winds, and precipitation. Weather systems, the second major factor affecting the city’s climate, create the wide variety of weather conditions that occur almost daily as a result of varying air masses and passing storm systems. Solar energy is three to four times greater in early summer than in early winter at Chicago’s mid-latitude location which results in warm summers and cold winters. The sun, primary energy source for virtually all weather phenomena, in large part determines air temperatures and seasonal variations. The effects of Lake Michigan and the urban area are of lesser significance but they influence local climate conditions to varying degrees within the Chicago metropolitan area, rather than uniformly across the entire region. Two major controls are latitude (reflecting the amount of solar input) and weather systems (air masses and cyclonic storms). Climatic controlsįour factors control the continental climate of Chicago: 1) the sun, 2) weather systems, 3) urban areas, and 4) Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan provides a moderating influence on temperature while boosting the amount of snowfall received in the city. Many consider the more moderate temperatures of spring and fall to be the most pleasant. Chicago's climate is typically continental with cold winters, warm summers, and frequent short fluctuations in temperature, humidity, cloudiness, and wind direction. IntroductionĬhicago lies midway between the Continental Divide and the Atlantic Ocean, and is 900 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. Weather and Climate of Chicago" by Cox and Armington and the more rare 1893 " TheĬlimate of Chicago" by Hazen. With the snow expected to snarl the Wednesday morning commute, the latest road conditions can be found by visiting of Chicago - Description and Normals Dr. However, those totals will differ to the north and south.Īccording to the NBC 5 Storm Team, northern counties are expected to see less than two inches, while the southern and southeastern suburbs could see up to four inches, with up to five inches in Northwest Indiana. Overall, early predictions indicate the Chicago area is likely to see two to three inches of snow. Accumulations are likely area-wide, with areas south and east of Chicago predicted to see the highest amounts. How Much Snow Could Chicago Get?Īccording to forecast models, the region's heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday morning. Light snow will likely result from those air masses as they swing through the Midwest, bringing some additional accumulations to areas that will have seen snow over the course of several days. Late Saturday and into Sunday, more snow showers are expected to roll in, as two air masses bump up against one another, according to forecast models. Accumulations will in all likelihood be on the lighter side with that disturbance, according to forecast models. Round two of the snow will arrive Friday in the form of a fast-moving clipper system, which could bring light snow or perhaps some mixed precipitation to the area. However, due to the warm waters of Lake Michigan and winds shifting out of the north, a round of lake-effect snow could potentially impact areas to the south of the lake in northwest Indiana.Īs a result, parts of Indiana could see locally-higher snowfall totals by the time all is said and done Thursday morning, according to forecast models. #ILwx #INwx (3/4) /TNhn2ggv8b- NWS Chicago January 24, 2023īy Wednesday evening, the system is predicted to begin churning out of the Chicago area. Snow accumulations, rates, and impacts are expected to ease/diminish Wednesday afternoon. General timing information is shown in this graphic.
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