Chicago's Chilly Thanksgiving: Wind and Snow Mix Up Holiday Plans

Chicago's Thanksgiving holiday was not your typical cozy family gathering. It was more like a wild weather party with winds howling like a freight train and snow flurries crashing the scene. The whole area, including parts of Wisconsin and Indiana, was under a wind advisory. Gusts of up to 60 mph were expected, which is like having a bunch of invisible kids running around, knocking over decorations and making driving a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The cold front had already swept through overnight, dropping temperatures into the 30s. But it felt even colder because of the wind chill, making it feel like the teens and 20s all day. This wasn't just a Chicago thing; other Midwest states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota were also dealing with winter storm warnings. So, if you were planning to travel, you might want to buckle up for a bumpy ride. The National Weather Service warned that these strong winds could blow around loose objects, like holiday decorations, and even cause some power outages. They also advised that driving could be tricky with flurries and poor visibility. But don't worry, the sun tried to make an appearance on Thanksgiving, with a high of 32 degrees. It was like nature's way of saying, "Here's a little sunshine to go with your frozen turkey. " By Friday, temperatures stayed cold, but the winds calmed down a bit. However, that's when the snow decided to join the party. It started light on Friday night and picked up by Saturday afternoon. This could cause some issues for those trying to travel after the holiday. The snow was expected to stick around, with accumulations ranging from two to six inches by Sunday. The lakefront and southern counties could see even more, while places like Kankakee County and northwest Indiana were expecting a wintry mix with less snow. After the holiday weekend, things were expected to get even colder, with highs in the 20s for the first week of December. So, if you were hoping for a warm and cozy holiday, you might want to plan a trip somewhere else next year.