Fresh Snow and Temperature Outlook Ahead of Christmas Day

If you are looking for fresh snow by Christmas morning or are curious about potential travel disruptions, the best chances for at least 1" of new snowfall early this week exist across the mountainous West, Great Lakes, and Northeast. Otherwise, temperatures this last full week of December will average above normal for much of the lower 48 states. Read More >

January 8, 2015: Snow, Blowing Snow, & Cold

Overview | Fast Facts | Snowfall Map | Amounts and Highest Wind Gusts | Other Stories

Overview

An Alberta Clipper type system tracked north of the Canadian border on Thursday. An upper disturbance out ahead of an Arctic front trailing from the low pressure area resulted in accumulating snow spreading across the area from late Thursday morning through the early afternoon. Periods of snow continued into the mid evening as the Arctic front approached and crossed the area before diminishing to scattered overnight snow showers and flurries. The strong pressure gradient between the low pressure to the north, high pressure over the Southeast US and expansive Arctic high pressure spreading into the northern High Plains resulted in strong gusty south-southwest winds shifting to the west-northwest behind the Arctic front. The newly fallen snow and gusty winds caused areas of blowing and widespread drifting snow and very hazardous travel conditions, with near zero visibility at times in open areas.

Fast Facts

Chicago saw 3.0" of snow at O'Hare, which brought the monthly total to 7.6" and the seasonal total (since 7/1) to 10.5". After tying for the least snowiest December on record, Chicago is only about 2" below normal to date snowfall on the season.

Rockford saw 1.5" of snow, which brought the monthly total to 7.1" and the seasonal total (since 7/1) to 10.8". After the 5th least snowiest December on record, Rockford has climbed back to about 5" below normal to date snowfall on the season.