Will Chicago see its first snow this week? The latest timing and projections

According to the latest timing projections, lake effect snow showers are possible Thursday through Friday night.

The Details

A taste of winter weather is headed for the Chicago area, and it could make for some tricky travel conditions to end the work week.

According to the latest timing projections, lake effect rain and snow showers are possible Thursday through Friday night.

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What will start as lake effect rain across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana will begin to shift Thursday evening toward the Illinois-Indiana state line, potentially mixing with snow as it moves.

The snow could lead to some slushy accumulations, particularly on grassy areas.

By Friday, the band of lake effect showers will hover over northwest Indiana, continuing to mix rain and snow at times, and once against leaving the potential for slushy accumulations heading into Friday evening.

Here's a look at approximate timing of lake effect showers expected Thursday through Friday night. Snow will mix in at times and may lead to slushy accumulations on grassy and elevated surfaces, mainly at night into portions of NW Indiana away from the lake.

• #ILwx
• #INwx pic.twitter.com/3SFitZX1N4 — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago)
• November 11, 2026

Temperature highs will stay in the 40s from Thursday through the weekend, with lows dropping into the low-30s and upper-20s each night.

Chicago Weather

Slushy, wet conditions continue for Chicago area following winter weather advisory Chicago Weather Chicago's Forecast: Sunshine and Slush Due to the warm temperatures the area has experienced this fall, the snow isn’t expected to stick to the ground and accumulate to much.

Things begin to warm back into the 50s and near 60 degrees by next week.

NBC 5 Storm Team

According to the National Weather Service, the area is surprisingly overdue for its first trace of snowfall. The first trace of snowfall, defined as simply the first observed snowflakes at the city’s official weather reporting station at O’Hare International Airport, typically falls sometime around Halloween, according to NWS.

The latest first trace of snowfall the city of Chicago has observed occurred on Dec. 5, 1999.