Cold Weather Weekend Could Be a Sign of Things to Come

Meteorologist Eric Schmidt warned Illinoisans that this could be the last of the unseasonably warm weather they’ve enjoyed so far this fall. A brief cold snap could be coming this weekend, and multiple indicators predict colder weather setting in this winter.

First, Schmidt says a weak La Nina is in place in the Pacific Ocean. Second, on the other side of the country, another weather indicator called the North Atlantic Oscillation seems to be trending toward colder weather as well.

 “There are some factors in play that could spell some colder temperatures as we head into December and January,” said Schmidt, of EJS Weather in Newton.

Schmidt says you can also watch the jet stream. As it dips south and travels directly from the North Pole instead of across the country from the Pacific, it’s likely to bring cold air with it.

In the meantime, Schmidt said to expect rain Friday and the first cold weather of the year this weekend.

“This weekend, temperatures will get a little below average,” he said, “with highs maybe in the upper 30s in northern Illinois, ranging to the upper 40s across the southern half of the state, with lows in the 20s.

“It’s the coldest air we’ve seen so far this fall. It does look to be brief, though, mainly just this weekend and then temperatures go to more seasonable levels early next week.”