2011 was one of the snowiest years on record in Chicago history. Winter in Chicago so far can be best remembered by how well we've been able to work on our winter tans. more ›

The .06 inches of official rain recorded at O'Hare early this morning pushed the year's total to 49.41 inches of precipitation. more ›

Hope you enjoyed the thaw a bit last week, because if both Accuweather and Skilling and Co. are to be believed, we're in for heavy east winds today to go with the clouds and a high in the mid-20's. The winds will be coming off the lake at 10-20 MPH. The clouds are predicted to thicken this afternoon, bringing tidings of snow through Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a lakeshore flood watch until 3 p.m. tomorrow. Those winds are due to pick up in intensity, whipping the lake into a frenzy. more ›

The Chicago area has a winter weather advisory for this evening, as we're expecting anywhere from one to four inches of snow and/or freezing rain. But that could serve as a prelude to a bigger storm later in the week. For those of you dreaming of a White Christmas, be careful what you wish for. more ›

Newsflash, folks: it's freaking hot outside. As of 3:40 p.m., it was 93 degrees at Midway with a heat index of 102, one of the hottest days of 2010 thus far and the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the area. So you might want to rethink that post-work run and stick to the indoor comfort of the gym instead. It's the 15th day over 90 degrees this summer, the most to this point in the last five years and more 90 degree days than the summers of 2008 and 2009 combined, according to Tom "Weather Wizard" Skilling. The heat will eventually break and we could see cooler temps in the low-to-mid 80s by Sunday. But before then, we'll also have to deal with some storms. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. for the area but all we see above are fluffy white clouds and the sun, that hot, dry devil the sun. Storms could develop as the late afternoon and evening wear on and dump some rain on us here or there, either cooling us off or just turning the baking city into a sauna. more ›

We're just going to go ahead and say that we're pretty sure the apocalypse is nigh. As if the earthquake wasn't enough, it looks like the sky is falling as there were reports of a giant fireball in the night sky over the Midwest last night. The incident occurred around 10 pm last night as a bright flash was seen reported in Wisconsin, parts of western Illinois, eastern Iowa, and even near St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. There were no reports in the Chicago area. The flash was captured on both film and radar as it headed from west to east. National Weather Service officials believe it to have been a meteorite entering the atmosphere as part of a meteor shower. The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a report saying: more ›

The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory for our area through mid-afternoon, so be wary of slick spots on roads and sidewalks. Also, it looks like that brewing storm is shifting north, which means the brunt of the worst weather will be north of the Illinois-Wisconsin line, bringing us mostly rain though we could still see a messy mix. more ›

While the Chicago area has already seen two measurable snowfalls in the last week, it may be small beans if a storm developing out west takes just the right track at just the right time. While the sun has made some appearances this weekend, more snow moves in tonight with the chance of up to another inch accumulating along with some frozen rain, though the National Weather Service says there will be no ice accumulations. Still, all weather eyes are focused on Tuesday when a storm could bring a significant winter precipitation event to the area. more ›

As if summer coming to a close weren’t enough to stir up our seasonal depression, now we hear the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a nasty winter in our neck of the woods. The almanac, which boasts an 80 to 85 percent accuracy rate for weather forecasting, claims that two-thirds of the country will experience lower-than-average temperatures, and the upper Midwest will experience more than its normal share of snowfall. more ›

Only days after a Chicago Heights teen drown in a dangerous rip current, the National Weather Service announced they will be issuing specific rip current warnings. The program has been in the works for some time, reviewing data on incidents that span years. Originally, it was thought that the Great Lakes were immune to the dangerous tides, commonly found on the coasts. more ›

So far in 2008, 8 people have died after being struck by lightning. Thank God it's Lightning Safety Week! Prepare to have your awareness raised! more ›

Yesterday's high temperatures felt miraculous. But they're not going to last. There's a 40 percent chance of snow tonight and a 60 percent chance tomorrow. [National Weather Service]
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Psst. Down there. Hey! It's me! Nature! I live in the sky and throw water down on you whenever I feel like it. Guess what? I super feel like it this year. Guess what again? It's going to snow tonight for the 35th time this season. I know--it usually only snows 30 times all season. But I like to think of myself as a wild bird who can't be caged. more ›

Usually when we hear "8 inches," we think "yay." But not now. Today, it's in reference to how much snow we're supposed to get this afternoon. Our fair city is in for another 6 to 8 inches of icy precipitation, and if that amount does fall, it would make this season the snowiest in a long time. Maybe we should just start rooting for that to happen so at least all this toe-freezing was for record-breaking purposes. more ›

Michigan Avenue, a new luxury magazine, has set a new launch date: September 17. Dan Uslan, most recently of Where Chicago magazine, was named the publisher today. There's a Where Chicago magazine? Live and learn. [Crain's] more ›

We can't stop complaining about how cold it is--and luckily, it's not just us being pussies. It really is freakishly cold. Tomorrow's going to be the record-breakingly chilly: "The predicted high of 9 degrees at O'Hare would be the coldest this late in a cold season since a 3 degree high on Feb. 21, 1963." Our entire area is under a wind chill advisory starting this evening because polar gusts are coming our way via Canada. According to the advisory, "the colder air will be ushered in on northwest winds near 25 mph... which will lower wind chills into the 20 to 30 below zero range late tonight and Wednesday morning." (Emphasis ours.) more ›

This weekend's forecast? Three guesses. More snow! We're going to have single-digit lows tonight, but it should be pretty clear tomorrow during the day, with a 50 percent chance of a "wintry mix" tomorrow night. Sunday, though, looks pretty miserable with a 100 percent chance of wintry mix and precipitation throughout the day. At least it'll be in the 30s? [National Weather Service] more ›

Yes, it's going to keep snowing most of the night. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather warning, a lake effect snow advisory, and a short-term forecast that says "more snow." We're looking at single-digit temps tonight, but it should warm up a little by the end of the week. more ›

The City's nipples have permanently shifted into cut-glass state, but there's more cold on the way, and the National Weather Center says there's a 100 percent chance of precipitation tonight. There's a chance of snow later this week, too, and if you've been wondering what the difference is between sleet and hail, wonder no more. more ›

This time it's for real. Probably. The snow we were supposed to see yesterday is actually coming today and local weathermen (and weatherwomen) are predicting even more snow than initially reported. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until 6pm today with up to 12 inches of snow in the forecast. With temperatures at or below freezing, the snow will be wet, heavy and mixed with ice. Bleh. Strong winds are also in the forecast creating heavy drifting and as meteorologist Ryan Brumer puts it, "a mess coming home for the rush hour." Over 500 flights at O'Hare were canceled this morning as the storm threatens to produce one of the city's biggest snows of the last nine years. And while the worst of it is expected to be over by this evening, brace yourselves for light snow the rest of the week. more ›

Obama wins Illinois; Clinton takes Arkansas, Tennesee and Kansas. McCain took Illinois, Romney Massachusettes. [Trib, Trib] more ›

Good news, snowbunnies. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 7 inches of snow today, starting around 2pm and continuing through Friday morning. We're already having a very snowy season--so far, 22 days with measurable snow, and we've racked up 30.2 inches at Midway (average for the last 30 years is 25.5), which makes this the fourth snowiest winter in 25 years. Luckily, temperatures won't be too brutal, staying somewhere in the 20s. [WGN, NWS] more ›

People sure seem grumpy today. Maybe you just need a cookie. A homemade treat based on the Girl Scout cookie Samoas. We have heard people argue that Thin Mints are the best Girl Scout cookie, but that is hilariously wrong. Samoas are the best. more ›

While we’re still waiting for today’s high temperature, the forecast calls for things to warm above freezing -- a welcome relief for dog walkers and CTA commuters in every neighborhood. Tomorrow’s temps will be well above freezing, melting all the snow, and creating the possibility of ice jams and flooding on the Rock and Kankakee rivers. more ›

If you managed not to fall into the sinkhole this morning or die at Mary-Kate Olsen's apartment this afternoon, then you're poised to be able to enjoy tonight...when temperatures are going to be in the teens, with windchill putting us at around -8. And it's going to stay really, really cold the rest of the week. Blerg. [National Weather Service]
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It's cold again? In Chicago? In January? Will wonders never cease? more ›

Yesterday a low-pressure system swept across our region, ripping up trees, knocking out power and pulling the roof off at least one house. We're feeling Harper's Index-y, and we're giving into that feeling. more ›

Unless you stayed inside all day yesterday (and that wouldn't have been a bad idea, because it was dis-gusting out there), you couldn't miss the super-slippery sidewalks all around the city. An ice storm Saturday night made traveling around the city extra-treacherous due to the thin coating of ice on sidewalks. Chicago city officials, being their normal helpful selves, urged people to salt their sidewalks and walk carefully when it's icy. And also to look... more ›

Get ready for more fluffy white stuff. Our area's under a snow advisory until tomorrow, with precipitation expected this afternoon. Brace yourself for between three and six inches of snow today and tonight, plus more tomorrow. And it's time to bust out your for-real winter coat — the temperature will drop to 13 degrees tomorrow night. (Tonight should be a cozy 24. Get your cocoa/hot toddy/fancypants tea stuff ready.) Where's this weather system coming... more ›

Notice that nip in the air? Because our planet spins on a tilted axis, that nip's about to get nippier, starting any minute now. We may be in for the first frost of the season tonight, possibly accompanied by flurries. Aw, shitfuck. It is on, wintertime. It's going to be even chillier tomorrow, with temperatures in the 30s all day, so get your blankets and doodads out of the closet and prepare. Today, the... more ›