As many of us are still sweating through the summer in Chicago, forecasters are already looking ahead to fall and winter.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above average temperatures in Chicago for the fall, which could push back the first snow of the season a little, but AccuWeather Meteorologist Joe Lundberg says that doesn't mean we won't get rain.
"Precipitation is likely to be near or slightly above normal. The coolest month may actually be October," explained Lundberg.
Meteorological fall starts on September 1st and runs through November 30th. Typically, average highs range from 75.5 degrees in September to 48.4 degrees in November.
"It’s a season of high variability. It’ll start warm with temperatures probably still getting into the 80s on a consistent basis in September, but by the end of November we’ll be struggling to get out of the 40s on a consistent basis. That’s how much things change over that three month period," Lundberg added.
And as for winter, forecasters say a La Niña weather pattern could mean more more snow and precipitation.