Blustery Cold Front May Bring First Snow of the Season to Chicago
A cold front moving into the Chicago area this weekend could deliver the first snow of the 2025–26 winter season. The National Weather Service expects wind chills to drop into the teens early next week as cold air sweeps across the region.
Temperature Shift and Timing
Friday and early Saturday will remain mild, with highs in the 50s and 60s. The front is forecast to reach Chicago by Saturday evening, bringing a sharp temperature drop into the 30s for most of the area.
Rain and Snow Potential
Rain showers arriving Saturday could turn into a mix of rain and snow overnight. Meteorologists anticipate no major accumulation, with only about half an inch possible.
“It looks like any accumulation of snow we see Sunday morning [will] probably [be] just on grassy surfaces and maybe bridges and overpasses,” said Casey Sullivan, a meteorologist with the weather service.
“Probably a 60%, 70% chance of snow there Sunday morning, but it doesn’t really look like it’s going to be too impactful.”
Windy and Cold Sunday Ahead
Sunday’s high temperatures should reach the mid-30s, with winds moving at 15 to 25 miles per hour and gusts near 30 mph.
“It’s going to be a cold, windy, blustery day on Sunday,” Sullivan said.
Temperatures will continue to drop into the mid-20s by Monday morning, marking it as the coldest morning of the season so far.
“By the time everybody wakes up Monday morning, wind chills for the Chicago area will probably be like 10 to 15 degrees above zero,” Sullivan said.
Author’s Summary
Chicago faces a sharp weekend temperature drop as a cold front brings possible light snow, strong winds, and the season’s first true winter chill.