Active pattern continues with a few more snow chances into the weekend

 

The wind-driven snow Wednesday morning was quick to move in, but also quick to move out. The quick hitting snow caused reduced visibility and poor driving conditions across most the Stateline, but conditions were able to slowly improve by mid to late morning. Northwest winds held strong and remain gusty here this evening but thankfully will continue to subside as an area of high-pressure moves a little closer to the region.

There are a few flurries and light snow showers moving into northwest Illinois, with the biggest impacts from those likely occurring southwest of the Rockford area. A few light snow showers could pass through parts of Carroll and Whiteside counties, before moving towards Lee and possibly western Ogle County later this evening. Otherwise, skies will remain mostly cloudy with temperatures slowly dropping back into the mid-teens.

It's possible we see some fog develop late tonight, especially if we're able to break from any of the cloud cover we have currently. There was quite a bit of snow melt that occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday morning which helped to add moisture into the lower levels of the atmosphere. It's a little uncertain yet if we'll be able to see those skies clear, but if we do I think fog is a good bet overnight.

Our next storm system is approaching the northwest Wednesday evening and will move into the Midwest Thursday. The track of the low has shifted a bit further to the southwest with the latest model guidance, however, there are still a few models that keep the low close by through Thursday night.

The southwest shift in the low's track would take the heaviest snowfall across west-central and central Illinois Thursday evening. We would still see some snow, but not as much as those to the southwest and south of us.

I think there is some truth to the southwest track but maybe not quite as far as some of the models are suggesting. My current thinking as of Wednesday evening is that at least a couple inches of snow could fall over northern Illinois, with totals over three inches possible further west from parts of Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside and western Lee counties. Hopefully over the next 12-18 hours we'll get a better idea of just exactly where the surface low will track, giving us a better idea on overall snowfall totals.

But one thing to keep in mind is that whatever snow does come down will be lighter and fluffy with temperatures in the 20s. This could allow snowfall totals to 'fluff' up, adding to a bit more in some spots. 

We'll be keeping close tabs on the track of the low and will be sure to pass along any changes in the track, should they occur. A few light snow showers could continue Friday with the arrival of a cold front, followed by light snow Saturday.