Chicago, IL — A powerful holiday-week storm system could bring heavy rain, snow, and travel delays across the country, with Illinois positioned for some of the most significant Thanksgiving impacts.
Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel this week, and meteorologists warn that both road conditions and airport operations may be affected—especially in and around Chicago.
A Large Stormfront Aims for the Midwest
Forecasters from AccuWeather report that a massive storm system is sweeping across the United States, carrying thunderstorms, steady rainfall, and eventually snow. This storm is expected to reach the Midwest by Tuesday, heightening the likelihood of flight delays at Chicago’s major airports, including O’Hare and Midway.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), both northern and central Illinois are at risk of accumulating snow as Thanksgiving weekend approaches. In particular, the Chicago area may see snowfall Saturday into Saturday night, while central parts of the state have a 20–40% chance of receiving two inches or more late Friday night into Saturday.
Chicago’s Day-by-Day Forecast
- Monday
Chicago starts the week cloudy, reaching a high near 52°F, with winds up to 20 mph. Rain becomes more likely after midnight, and fog could develop after 1 a.m., with temperatures dipping to 46°F.
- Tuesday
Expect patchy drizzle and lingering fog before noon. Afternoon highs hold around 52°F, with light winds between 5–10 mph. Conditions turn breezy overnight, with showers developing and a low near 35°F.
- Wednesday
A slight chance of snow showers appears before noon, followed by scattered flurries later in the day. Skies remain mostly cloudy, winds may reach 35 mph, and the temperature will hover near 37°F, falling to 26°F by night.
- Thanksgiving Day
Holiday travelers and families gathering outdoors should prepare for mostly sunny but breezy conditions, with highs around 33°F. Nighttime lows could slip to roughly 22°F.
- Friday
A cold, sunny day is expected, with highs near 33°F. After midnight, a fresh chance of snow returns as temperatures fall to 24°F.
Central Illinois Forecast Breakdown
- Monday
Central Illinois experiences patchy fog before 10 a.m., with more fog late at night. Evening showers may bring wind gusts up to 16 mph, with temperatures rising to 53°F and dropping to 47°F overnight.
- Tuesday
Fog persists into the late morning before transitioning into afternoon rain. Highs climb to around 58°F, followed by a sharp temperature slide to 33°F overnight, accompanied by wind gusts up to 34 mph.
- Wednesday
Expect partly sunny and breezy weather, with highs around 41°F and lows near 22°F.
- Thanksgiving Day
The holiday remains sunny and breezy, topping out around 36°F before dropping to 18°F at night.
- Friday
Sunny conditions continue with highs around 35°F, but the evening could bring snow, with a 50% chance of accumulation as lows settle at 24°F.
Travelers Encouraged to Plan Ahead
With millions taking to highways, airports, and public transit, this developing storm system could play a major role in shaping Thanksgiving travel. Snowfall potential and strong winds may present challenges from Wednesday through the weekend, particularly for those traveling through Chicago or central portions of Illinois.
Are you traveling for Thanksgiving? How are you preparing for the weather? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
