Baby, it's gray outside.
This month is on track to be one of the cloudiest Decembers on record in Chicago, according to National Weather Service data. Monday is the 15th day this month without a scrap of sunshine, according to WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling, and during daylight hours this month, Chicagoans have seen sunshine just 16 percent of the time.
Even for Chicago, which usually sees 41 percent sunshine in December, that's an extremely gray month.
"This is by its nature the cloudiest month, but this is a whole new level," Skilling said. "It puts a cloudy December in a whole new arena."
The National Weather Service in Chicago took to Twitter on Saturday, noting "only 33 mins of sun since Dec. 12." So far this month, there have been only 1,992 minutes of sunshine in Chicago (about 33 hours), according to retired meteorologist Frank Wachowski, who measures sunshine for the weather service.
And it most likely will stay cloudy, according to Bill Nelson, observation program leader at the weather service's Chicago-area office in Romeoville.
"Looks like there's a possibility of some sunshine Christmas Day," he said. "But if there is, it won't last long, because it looks like we've got another chance of rain or snow come Friday. But that's no guarantee either [of sunshine] on Thursday."
The least sunny December on record in Chicago was in 1975, when the area saw 19 percent of possible sunshine. In November 1985, the cloudiest recorded month, Chicago had just 16 percent sunshine.
"If this were to continue like this through a week from Thursday, then we could even be in line to become the cloudiest month ever," said Skilling, who pointed out the month is not over yet.
Still, the recent gray could test the patience of even the hardiest winter-lover, Nelson said.
"I think everybody, when the sun is out, feels a little chipper and more energetic, that goes for everybody," Nelson said. "And when it's a long term [cloudy stretch], that's where it starts wearing on people."
The National Weather Service cautions that cloudy weather can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, a winter depression that can be serious. According to the National Institutes of Health, SAD can be a product of low light during the winter months, and light therapy can help.
Usually, winter is a trade-off between cold temperatures and clear skies, Nelson said. Despite the clouds, this December has been relatively warm for Chicago.
"Like they say, if you want sunshine, you've gotta put up with the cold in the winter," Nelson said. "If you want sunshine it's usually on a cold, cold day; as high pressure moves in, it's able to chase the clouds away [and] it brings cold temperatures, too."
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