Chicago's winter could be colder and snowier than last year, AccuWeather predicts

CHICAGO – While last year's winter was unusually warm and dry for Chicago, a much cooler winter with increased snowfall is forecast this time, according to AccuWeather.

Chicago is expected to see 30 to 45 inches of snow this winter, a significant increase from last year's 22 inches but in line with the city average of 38 inches, said Paul Pastelok, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

The main reason Pastelok and others are expecting a colder, wetter winter is a La Niña weather pattern developing in the Pacific Ocean, he said.

“Snow and ice events may become more frequent this winter,” Pastelok said, as the country is affected by a mild La Niña.

La Niña is a natural climate pattern characterized by cooler than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and influences weather patterns around the world. Pastelok expects this La Niña to be weak and short-term, lasting approximately December through early January.

According to CNN, La Niña may shift jet streams – which power winter storms – north and toward Chicago. But a weaker La Niña may be less predictable and cause other local climate conditions to influence winter weather.

Last year's winter was an El Niño, characterized by above-average ocean temperatures and resulting in a warmer, drier winter across the United States.

“Be prepared here in late fall and watch for some early systems, especially north and west of Chicago,” Pastelok said. “I'm worried about January where there could be a lot more mixed (precipitation) events and then more of a snow pattern could set in into February.”

While Pastelok doesn't expect “monster-like” snow and wind events, the city's typical mixed precipitation could cause disruption, particularly during rush hour, he said.

Pastelok recommends Chicago residents check their generator batteries during unexpected outages, especially when ice forms in the middle of the season.

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