Heavy Lake Effect Snow Downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario; Fire Weather Concerns in the Southern Plains and Southeast

A multi-day heavy lake effect snow event is expected downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario through New Year's Day. There is increasing confidence in snow squalls causing bursts of snow & gusty winds on New Year's Eve. Elevated fire weather conditions will continue today over parts of the Southern Plains and across much of the Southeast U.S. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

Chicago, Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (KORD)

Lat: 41.98°NLon: 87.9°WElev: 666ft.

Mostly Cloudy

12°F

-11°C

Humidity 67%
Wind Speed W 12 mph
Barometer 30.21 in (1024.2 mb)
Dewpoint 3°F (-16°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Wind Chill-2°F (-19°C)
Last update 30 Dec 8:51 am CST
Extended Forecast for

Evanston IL

  • Today

    Today: Snow likely, mainly after 3pm.  Cloudy, with a high near 24. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 24 °F

    Mostly Cloudy
    then Snow
    Likely

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow likely, mainly before 9pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 26 by 9pm. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 22 °F

    Snow Likely
    then Mostly
    Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Snow likely after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 32 °F

    Breezy.
    Mostly Cloudy
    then Snow
    Likely

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as 1. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

    Low: 12 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Blustery
    then Partly
    Cloudy

  • New Year's Day

    New Year's Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 23. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

    High: 23 °F

    Partly Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

    Low: 18 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.

    High: 28 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

    Low: 20 °F

    Mostly Cloudy

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

    High: 29 °F

    Partly Sunny

Detailed Forecast

Today
Snow likely, mainly after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 24. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight
Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 26 by 9pm. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday
Snow likely after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as 1. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
New Year's Day
Partly sunny, with a high near 23. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 29.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 35.
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Evanston IL
 42.03°N 87.69°W
3:44 am CST Dec 30, 2025
9am CST Dec 30, 2025-6pm CST Jan 5, 2026
 
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Additional Resources

Radar & Satellite Image

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Hourly Weather Forecast

National Digital Forecast Database