When Will Illinois Get Its First Snowfall? Here’s a Possible Date

We're hearing about a record number of Americans who will be traveling this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday including over 2 million Illinois residents planning to drive to their destination.

Whether you're driving or flying, the threat of winter weather can always be the unknown variable when traveling this time of year.

And, according to the latest weather forecasts, northern Illinois' first major snowfall of the season could during peak travel times over Thanksgiving weekend.

Last Year Had a Mid-November Snowy Stretch

Rockford reported snow showers on November 12, 2022, and then we had early-season snow for about a week from November 15 through 19, 2022, according to Certified Snow Totals.

The current forecast for this week (11/15-19) doesn't have snow in the forecast, but more unseasonably mild temperatures with highs expected in the mid-60s on Wednesday, and near 70 on Thursday (11/16).

Thanksgiving Weekend Will Be Colder and Bring Snow

Our first major snowfall of the 2023-2024 season appears to be heading our way over Thanksgiving weekend, according to the The Weather Channel.

Thanksgiving Eve (11/22) and Thanksgiving Day should be dry with high temperatures in the upper 30s and about a 5 percent chance of precipitation on both days for the Rockford region and Chicagoland.

Latest forecast for Black Friday from The Weather Channel predicts a 40 percent chance of snow and about an inch of accumulation.

Computer models continue to change with The Weather Channel originally forecasting a snowy weekend after Thanksgiving with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation is possible in the Rockford region and throughout Chicagoland on Saturday and Sunday (11/26).