This week brings the first significant snowfall of the season to the Chicago area. Snow is expected to fall at least through the early afternoon before changing over to cold November rain.

The Chicago area is experiencing its first snowfall of the season, and officials are beginning to issue reports on just how much snow has fallen.

Temperatures rose above freezing areawide Thursday afternoon and will hold steady or even rise further overnight into Friday morning.

The Chicago area is seeing its first snow of the season this week, with the heaviest snow expected to impact the region in the mid-to-late morning hours.

Chicago experiences higher temperatures longer than outlying suburbs due to the urban heat-island effect. Its location next to Lake Michigan’s warm waters explains why the city and nearby suburbs freeze later in the year than their farther-out counterparts.

Chicagoans can expect a chilly Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with a chance of snow on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures for Turkey Day itself are expected to be in the mid-30s, according to the National Weather Service.

Unseasonably cold weather continues to blow our way from Canada, with little changing in the temperature department until a brief "warm-up" next Wednesday.

This weekend will remain brisk, with highs stuck in the 20s and sunny skies overhead. Wind chills may not rise above 20°F through Sunday. A quick snow shower could brush areas south of the city on Saturday.