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Chicago Braces for Coldest Start Since 1876
2 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Chicago faces its worst winter start since 1876.
- Temperatures could plunge to -14 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Polar vortex disruption is causing extreme cold surges.
Chicago is confronting an exceptionally harsh beginning to winter, potentially marking the coldest start to December since 1876. Meteorologists indicate that temperatures could plummet to -14 degrees Fahrenheit in the coming days, a drastic departure from historical averages.
This severe cold is largely due to a disruption in the polar vortex. When this vortex weakens, it allows frigid Arctic air to surge southward, impacting regions like the Midwest with intense cold snaps. Several such cold surges are anticipated.
The combination of the polar vortex disruption and other factors, including La Niña, is contributing to these extreme temperature drops. This severe weather event poses significant risks and emphasizes the need for preparedness as winter's most brutal conditions arrive.
