In One Week, Temperature Drops 30 Degrees in US Chicago... Spending a 'White Halloween'

Due to strong winds, the perceived temperature drops to -7℃
Expect highs to rise to 10℃ next week

Just last week, Chicago, USA, which recorded the third warmest autumn weather since the 1960s with temperatures rising to 27.5℃, experienced an unexpected 'White Halloween.'

According to local Chicago media on the 31st (local time), temperatures in the Chicago area dropped below freezing for the first time since last winter. The temperature at O'Hare International Airport, where the Chicago weather station is located, was -1.7℃, and suburban areas recorded -4℃. Although temperatures rose above freezing after noon, the wind chill kept the perceived temperature at around -7℃ due to strong winds.

Chicago experienced sudden cold weather along with the first snowfall. In some areas, the snow was so heavy that visibility was reduced, creating scenes where white snow settled among the autumn flowers and foliage that had not yet withered. Children going trick or treat for Halloween were also fully prepared for the snow and cold.
[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

Along with the sudden cold, the first snow also fell in Chicago. In some areas, heavy snowfall reduced visibility, creating scenes where white snow settled among autumn flowers and foliage that had not yet withered. Children out trick-or-treating for Halloween were seen fully prepared for the snow and cold weather.

In the Chicago area, experiencing Halloween in November is rare. Since weather observations began in 1884, snow has fallen on Halloween day in Chicago only eight times.

In the Chicago area, it is rare to celebrate Halloween in November. Since weather observations began in 1884, it has snowed in Chicago on Halloween day only eight times. The average temperature on Halloween Day (October 31) in the Chicago area is around a high of 13.3℃ and a low of 5℃.
[Photo by AP and Yonhap News]

The highest temperature recorded on Halloween in Chicago was 28.9℃ in 1950, and the lowest was -5℃ in 1873.

The National Weather Service explained, "A cold low-pressure system moved eastward with west winds at 48 to 64 km/h, passing over the relatively warm Lake Michigan (12.2℃), causing snowfall," attributing it to the "lake effect."

They added, "While it is common to see the first snow in Chicago in October, snowfall or a sudden temperature drop on Halloween is rare," noting that "especially in the past three years, Chicago has experienced mild weather in the 10℃ range on Halloween."

Meanwhile, the Chicago Weather Office forecasted that temperatures would rise again starting the day after Halloween, with the highest temperatures expected to exceed 10℃ next week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.