New models show December weather shift could be in store for Chicago …

New forecast predictions indicate a shift could be in store for December in the Chicago area.

According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, “long range forecast models are indicating a strengthening ‘ridge’ in the jet stream as we go into the second week of December.”

“This would favor a drier and more mild pattern for Chicago,” said meteorologist Kevin Jeanes, noting that the trend could continue into mid-December.

What will happen for the end of the month, however, remains to be seen.

The shift isn’t unexpected, given that an El Niño is present and is expected to continue through winter. The stronger the  El Niño becomes, the more likely it is that the Chicago area ends up with a drier and milder winter overall, Jeanes said.

Currently it’s the strongest El Niño seen since the winter of 2015-16, which was one of the strongest on record.

Between Dec. 2015 and Feb. 2016, the Chicago area received 16.5” of snow. Temperatures were also well-above normal….