Temperatures are normally around 70 degrees in Chicago this time of year, but there were snowflakes reported in areas north and west of the city.
NBC Chicago viewers in McHenry and DeKalb counties reported snowflakes during the 6 a.m. hour. As of 7:45 a.m., National Weather Service meteorologists hadn't verified whether the snowfall sets a new record for the latest observed traces of snowfall. That was set in Rockford on May 11, 1966.
The latest observed trace of snowfall in the city of Chicago currently sits on the books at June 2, 1910.
The last time the Chicago area was the 1.4 inches that fell April 14. You can blame these new snowflakes on an area of low pressure that brought a bit of rain to areas south and west of the city. While temperatures on the ground were in the upper 30s and low 40s, the air temperature aloft was well below freezing.
The system, slowly rotating counter-clockwise, is expected to bring a wet start to Friday with light to moderate rain with the potential for ice pellets and snowflakes. The center of circulation should make its way eastward later in the day.
Friday night and Saturday morning, while mostly dry, will remain unseasonably chilly. The mercury throughout Friday will struggle to reach 50 degrees.
Sunday is looking to be the better day of the weekend, with high pressure, a clearer sky and warmer temperatures.
Next week, temperatures are expected to rebound into the 70s and perhaps into the 80s by Wednesday and Thursday.
