How much snow will we see in IL this winter? See 4 predictions

How cold and snowy will the coming winter be in Illinois?

While winter officially begins on December 21st, meteorological winter began on December 1st.

Several forecasters have made their predictions about how snowy the season will be here in the Prairie State. Here’s a look at what they say:

The private weather company said in its forecast that the winter will have some “meteorological twists and turns” that could bring heavy snowfalls and blasts of bitterly cold air. One of the main factors playing a role in this long-term forecast is the La Niña weather pattern, which can influence the trajectory of snowstorms.

AccuWeather also predicted that Chicago will be warmer than normal this winter and heating demand will be below average in the northern half of the state.

“Snow shoveling will be needed across the Northeast and Midwest this winter, although they may gather dust for part of the season as weather patterns are a tug-of-war between mild and rainy and cold and snowy,” Accuweather said.

February is the most likely month for the arrival of a polar vortex – a large area of ​​cold, low-pressure air that rotates counterclockwise around the Earth’s poles and can expand in winter, pushing cold air south. However, this year there is less certainty about when and whether the extremely cold air will reach the US mainland

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

In its 2024-2025 outlook, The Old Farmer’s Almanac called for the upcoming season in Illinois to be cold and dry, mixed with snow.

“This winter, temperatures will rise and snowfall will decrease across most of the United States,” said Carol Connare, editor in chief of the Old Almanac. “While there will continue to be cool temperatures and snow on most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season are unlikely to be as significant. We predict a moderate, uneventful winter – perhaps a welcome change from the extremes of recent years.”

Illinois is divided into the Lower Lakes area in Region 6, while the central and southern counties make up the Ohio Valley in Region 7, which is expected to see a small band of snow – “snow is poor man’s fertilizer” to those agriculturally inclined Territories states,” the almanac says.

This region will experience below average precipitation and snowfall this winter, with most snow expected in late December, late January to early February, and late February to early March.

The Farmer’s Almanac

The 208th Edition of the Farmers’ Almanac predicts a “Wet Winter Whirlwind” for the 2024-2025 winter season. The forecast calls for quick storms bringing both rain and snow with brief downtime in between.

“We expect the winter of 2024-25 to be wet and cold in most locations,” The Farmers’ Almanac predicts.

The Farmers’ Almanac says there are “red flags” for most of the eastern half of the country during the last week of January. Expect a very active storm track with frequent heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds.

Above-average precipitation is expected for the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest, according to the forecast.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center

Illinois has an equal chance of being warmer than normal and colder than normal this winter, according to a new 2024-25 winter forecast for December, January and February.

NOAA said the data supports the development of a weak La Niña, lacking some of the stormy impact traditionally seen in such climate patterns.

Chances for above-average precipitation across the state are above normal, according to the updated winter outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.