Chicagoland on Verge of Breaking No-Snow Record for 2012

We've seen a few snow flurries out there, but nothing measurable (one-tenth of an inch or more).

Weather watchers say 2012 will break the 1994 record for the number of days between measurable snow falls, which is 280 days, according to a story in the  Chicago Tribune.

The Midwest is currently experiencing a snow drought, and the chance of having a White Christmas isn't looking promising.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports the U.S. Lower 48 snowpack is one quarter of the most recent 10-year average for early December.

Historically, the Chicago region has only a 45 percent chance of seeing a postcard snowy Christmas, according to data from the NOAA. The last white Christmas in our region was in 2010, when 2-4 inches fell on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

What Can Homeowners Do to Protect Landscaping?

In a recent Patch blog, Julie Joyce, owner of The Barn Nursery in Cary, recommended homeowners take the time to water outdoor trees and shrubs.

"The reality is that our soils are dryer now than they have been this entire year," Joyce said in the blog.

"While we have gotten some rainfall and the heat has abated, our sub soil is has not gotten sufficient water this season and the root balls of established and new plantings are extremely dry."

Joyce recommended homeowners continue watering until temps are continuously dipping below 32 degrees. Unfortunately, this could mean re-hooking up hoses that have already been stowed away for winter.

The extra effort people make now and until the ground freezes will pay off next spring, she said.

For any new plantings and especially evergreens and broadleaf evergreens, now is the time to apply an anti-desicant leaf protector, such as Wilt Pruf or Wilt Stop, Joyce said.

An application of Wilt Pruf will lock in moisture and prevent winter burn. It also will prevent salt damage and dog urine damage.

Click here to read Julie Joyce's full Patch article.