Illinois Forecast Dec. 9–15: Arctic Cold Holds Firm Statewide but Snow Stays Away

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Winter’s grip tightens on Illinois next week as an extended wave of Arctic air settles across the state, keeping temperatures well below normal from December 9 through December 15. But despite the cold, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center says precipitation chances will stay lower than average, meaning Illinois is unlikely to see significant snow during this stretch.

Statewide Cold: Teens and 20s Overnight, 30s by Day

Forecasters project a quiet but chilly pattern with:

• Northern Illinois: Highs in the low to mid-30s
• Southern Illinois: Highs closer to 40°F
• Statewide nights: Lows in the teens and 20s

Cities including Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, and Carbondale can expect frosty mornings, cold afternoons, and clear, crisp evenings as Arctic air dominates the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Dry Pattern Means Little to No Snow

Even with the cold, NOAA’s outlook shows below-normal precipitation, signaling a notably dry pattern for early December. The Arctic air mass lacks the moisture needed to generate widespread snow, leaving Illinois with sunny days, light winds, and calm conditions—a contrast to the snowier setups farther north.

Roads should remain mostly dry, and holiday travel early next week looks favorable across much of the state.

National Pattern Split: Warm West, Cold Midwest

The broader weather setup highlights a stark coast-to-coast contrast:

• California, the Southwest, and Texas: Above-normal warmth and continued dry weather
• Midwest and Great Lakes: Persistent Arctic air and below-normal temperatures

Illinois sits firmly on the cold side of this national pattern.

Cold Holds Through Mid-December

Meteorologists hint at a slight warm-up closer to the holidays, but the current forecast shows the Arctic pattern staying dominant across Illinois through at least mid-December.

Until then, residents can expect a week of crisp, cold, but quiet winter weather—with no major snowstorms in sight.

For continuing Illinois weather coverage and winter outlooks, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.