Storm threatens biggest Dec. 1 snow since 1978
The Chicago area, which has just closed the books on an unseasonable six-day spell of 60s, now appears threatened by one of its biggest early season snowstorms since the infamous winter of 1978-79. That’s the season which began with a 7.8” snow December 1 and concluded the area’s heaviest total ever-89.3”.
As with any complex winter storm—especially the first major snow producer of the season—track adjustments could shift the axis of heaviest snowfall. But, Chicago appears near the zone of this system’s most intense meteorological action Thursday night through much of Friday morning. Thursday’s rainy spells mix with ice pellets and some snow at times as the air here continues to cool. But, its overnight snow turns heavy over all but eastern sections of the area. Though Streets and Sanitation reports road surfaces between 48-54°, snow intensity should permit accumulation.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist