Even though Chicago saw a record-breaking 83 degrees on Tuesday, locals are already preparing for what might be one of the coldest Halloweens ever.
Though most holidays haven’t been very chilly or snowy, Chicagoans typically associate Halloween with being cold and possibly snowy. In actuality, only eight Halloweens since records began have received snow in Chicago, according to the National Weather Service.
Even though the area’s average temperature merely drops from 75 to 60 degrees on Halloween, the area’s typical changes in temperature and precipitation patterns occur around this time of year.
It’s also possible that residents are still thinking about 2019, when the city saw a record 3.4 inches of snowfall and 33 degree temperatures.
In light of it, 2023 will see another historically low temperature.
Since statistics have been kept 150 years ago, 49 Halloweens have seen highs in the 50s overall. 38 Halloweens in the 1960s and 35 in the 1940s are comparable to that. Additionally, there were 20 Halloweens in the 1970s and just one in which the temperature went beyond 80 degrees.
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On October 31, the 30-year average high temperature is 56 degrees, and the average low temperature is 41 degrees.
Now let’s move on to the forecast for Halloween 2023. This week, a swift-moving, concentrated region of low pressure is predicted to emerge from Canada, pass across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and then sweep across northeastern Illinois.
This will likely result in some snow showers, wind gusts of up to thirty miles per hour, and temperatures in the 30s.
The high temperature on October 31 is expected to be 38 degrees on Sunday, making it the seventh coldest holiday ever recorded.
It will feel like the mid-to-upper 20s during trick-or-treating hours because of the wind. As the low moves through throughout the afternoon and evening, the wind will pick up more intensity.
There is the possibility of a few snow showers in the morning in the Chicago region, but in the afternoon and evening there is a chance of more scattered snow showers.
Since the temperature will be above freezing, “wet” snow that melts upon touch should be expected. It is possible for snow to accumulate on grass, cars, and higher surfaces, though. This means that Halloween costumes that aren’t waterproof might get wet as well, which would be uncomfortable.
The timing of this very brief low-pressure system couldn’t be worse for Halloween, so make plans to keep warm and dry while trick-or-treating. The system will pass over the area in a day.
By the end of the week, we’ll be thrilled to be back in the 50s!