Illinois has seen 107 tornadoes in 2023, according to the National Weather Service. That makes it the state with the most tornadoes this year. While Illinois holds this title, scientists caution the thought of adding the Prairie State to Tornado Alley.

Right on cue, the much hyped “pneumonia front” hit Chicago shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, sending the official temperature at O’Hare International Airport plummeting from 81 degrees to 66 degrees in short order.

At least two brief tornadoes touched down in the Chicago suburbs Monday — one in Joliet and another on the far north side of Naperville. 

As searches continued for those still missing, efforts also turned to repairing the power grid, sheltering those whose homes were destroyed and delivering drinking water and other supplies.

With 24 days of partly cloudy or straight up cloudy skies, January’s pretty bleak. Unfortunately, it takes a blast of cold northern air to get the sun to come out and play. 

Wednesday’s forecast shows a daytime high of around 14 degrees below zero, which would beat the city’s all-time coldest high of minus 11. When wind chills are factored in, temperatures could reach minus 35. 

There was no white Christmas for Chicago this year. So will it ever snow? We examine this winter's mild weather.