A mild working week with no sunshine and no measurable snow potential

Friday was the fifth straight day without sunshine recorded in Chicago, resulting in no sunshine for the entire work week. Of his first 20 days in 2023, no clear skies were recorded on the 12th day. The current percentage of possible sunshine in Chicago by January 20th is 19%. Since 1894, the lowest percentage of possible sunshine recorded in Chicago in January was 20% in 1998. The sun may come out early Saturday, but the day will be mostly cloudy.

Friday also marked the 24th straight day O’Hare posted above-average daily temperatures. December 2022 was more than 1°C cooler than normal, but the mild temperatures in January meant that the winter of 2022-2023 could be as cold as December 1st to January 20th in the last 50 years. It was his sixth hottest day.

January and winter snowfall is well below normal. Since January 1, he’s only recorded 0.4 inches of snow at O’Hare Airport. Normal Chicago snowfall through Jan. 20 is he 6.9 inches. Chances of snow build up Saturday night through Sunday, with Chicago and locations south of it having the highest chance of measurable snow. Another system is predicted to arrive Tuesday night through Wednesday, which could bring a snowfall event.

A Winter Severe Warning and Winter Weather Advisory are in effect for Saturday from northeastern New Mexico to northwestern Iowa.