After a November that produced 12.7 inches of snow, or 10 times the normal for the month, flakes have been noticeably absent. Through Friday, only .3 inches of snow has accumulated at O’Hare International Airport since December 1st. On average, the city receives 5.2 inches by this point in the month. The absence of snow is not confined to the Chicago area. As of Friday, a mere 17.5% of the continental U.S. observed an inch or more of snow cover. Normally, about 38% of the country is snow covered on the first day of Winter. The widespread lack of snow has contributed to our recent mild spell. Friday’s average temperature of 35 was 9 degrees above normal, making it the 11th straight day to post a temperature surplus. With no snow cover, polar air masses modify faster, and to a greater degree, losing their potency as they settle southward.
December’s snow drought forecast to continue

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Wintry air to return after springlike Monday
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Snow system arrives late Saturday night and persists Sunday
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Canceled flights, delayed trains and icy roads as winter storm moves east
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Winter Weather Advisory for 2 to 4 inches of lake-effect snow in northwest Indiana this evening – frigid cold sets in Chicago-area-wide tonight
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Snow, record-breaking cold expected to hit much of Illinois
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Winter Storm Watch to begin Friday; Heaviest snow expected overnight into Saturday
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Dangerous cold grips Chicago, prompting warnings, closings
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Mild pattern to dominate the rest of December
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Cold eases for Black Friday, but wintery weather is to return
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What is the record for the most days of measurable snow in a season and might we come close to it this winter?
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Winter returns to Chicago with windchill, potential for snow
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Winter Weather Advisory for snow, ice Chicago area-wide Wednesday
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What is Chicago’s record for consecutive days with snow?