If the weather forecasters’ predictions are correct, it will be more like Christmas in Nashville than Christmas in Naperville this Saturday.
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That’s good news if you’re planning to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house but not so much for the little tykes dreaming of awakening a snow-covered dawn.
Regardless of which side you fall on the weather spectrum, here’s a rundown of a few things to know this Yuletide, like just how cold — or warm — it’s going to be, where to grab a meal or last-minute gift and, most importantly, how to know when Santa might be landing at your house.
Store the shovels
There will be no sledding or snowman-building this Christmas, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Leatherwood.
Expect a high in the mid- to upper-40s Saturday, with a good chance of rain Friday night into Saturday morning. Those conditions are going to be lingering through the weekend and into Monday, when there’s a small chance of rain and snow overnight Monday into Tuesday, the latest forecast shows.
“This weekend we are going to be 10 to 20 degrees above normal,” Leatherwood said.
That means the Chicago area will be setting another weather record. Before 2021, the latest date for the first measurable snowfall of the year was Dec. 20, he said.
“I think we are eventually going to see (snow) — it is Chicago — but it is pretty late in the season,” Leatherwood said.
Another milestone in jeopardy of falling is the longest stretch of days without measurable snowfall. According to National Weather Service, the record of 290 days will be broken Dec. 31 if the Chicago area does not see snow on the ground by then.
Watch Santa fly
Want to get the kids to go to bed early on Christmas Eve? Have them check out Santa’s trek from the North Pole around the world by going to the NORAD website, www.noradsanta.org, or mobile app. You can also call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877 446-6723).
First launched in 1955, the NORAD Tracks Santa program follows Kris Kringle’s journey in real time from Friday into Saturday.
The NORAD website also has “Santa Cams” that will stream real-time videos from places where Santa is dropping off gifts.
What’s open
Yes, some businesses will be open Christmas Day if you need to tank up the car, forgot a gift, can’t drive without coffee or run out of some staple.
There also will be some restaurants open to accommodate those folks who don’t want to cook, don’t celebrate Christmas or lose their holiday turkey to the Bumpuses’ dogs, which can happen if you’ve seen “The Christmas Story” movie.
Here’s a rundown of some businesses that will have normal or abbreviated hours on Christmas Day. It is not a complete list and you’ll want to check online or by phone to ensure a business is open before heading over.
Stores: CVS (some Naperville locations); Walgreens (some Naperville locations); Patel Brothers; Mall of India; International Fresh Market; H Mart.
Restaurants: Fogo de Chao; China Kitchen; China Station; Joy Yee Noodle; Kogii Kogii Express; Mapo; Minghin Cuisine; Sushi Naperville; Taste of China; Wild Rice Sushi & Grill; Yamada Sushi & Poke; Yen Ching Chinese; Yin’s Wok; Zen’s Noodles; Xi’an Cuisine; Tous Les Jours; Bollywood Bistro; Cuisine of India; Deccan Spice; Honest Restaurant; Sara’s Grill & Eastern Cuisine; Shimla Peppers; Tandoor Hut; El Hogar; Fiesta Burrito; Sarpino’s Pizzeria.
Restaurant chains (some Naperville locations): Starbucks; McDonald’s; Dunkin; Burger King; Subway; Taco Bell; Arby’s; Domino’s.
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Movie theaters: AMC Naperville 16; Hollywood Palms Cinema; Regal Cantera.