Winter is on the way in Chicago, and it's expected to be as bad as -- if not worse -- than last year.
The Midwest and Great Lakes region will "hands down" be hit with the nation's worst winter, according to AccuWeather.com's long-range report. Chicago, in particular, is expected to get the most snow and cold.
"People in Chicago are going to want to move after this winter," said long-range meteorologist Josh Nagelberg.
The weather service predicts 50 to 58 inches of snow in Chicago, not far off from the 57.9 total we saw during the third largest blizzard on record.
"Bitterly cold blasts of arctic air" are expected to send temperatures plunging 2 to 3 degrees below normal in December and January, though AccuWeather says Minneapolis will get the most frigid air.
Last year, the Blizzard of 2011 paralyzed Chicago and snowed in hundreds of cars on Lake Shore Drive.
The record snowfall cost the city and sister agencies $37.3 million, according to estimates released in March. Gov. Pat Quinn requested federal assistance for the cleanup.
Last month, the Farmer’s Almanac predicted “clime and punishment” for many parts of the country, including lots of rain and snow in the Midwest.
Temperatures should feel close to the average this winter for the Chicago area, the Almanac predicted. That means a perfect environment for heavier-than-normal precipitation.
