Winter Weather Advisory issued for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin Saturday night

 

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the entire viewing area (northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin) beginning late Saturday evening and lasting through Sunday morning. This was an expansion of the winter weather headlines that had been issued west of the Mississippi River Friday.

Low pressure currently located over Wyoming will move east/southeast throughout the afternoon, reaching northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin late tonight. The low will be in an overall weakening trend as it approaches the Stateline, but snow showers will fall as it passes to our south Saturday night and Sunday morning. Even though the surface low will be weaker there could be enough support within the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere to allow for some heavier snowfall to occur. This could cause some heavy snow banding to set up right near the state line after Midnight. *If* that occurs then it is possible that some locations could pick up snow totals in excess of five (5) inches.

I think for most we are guaranteed to pick up three (3) inches, which will be enough to shovel or use the snowblower. But if we end up with some of the heavier snow banding then some locations could be set to receive the higher end of the snowfall range of 3-6 inches. The bulk of the snow will occur between Midnight and 5am, wrapping up around sunrise Sunday with a few flurries/light snow showers through 8am/9am. 

North winds will increase as Arctic high pressure quickly moves in, gusting around 25 mph. This will cause some blowing and drifting snow, especially in the open and rural areas, primarily on east/west roads. Temperatures staying in the low 20s Saturday night and Sunday morning will drop late in the afternoon as skies gradually clear. Wind chills Sunday evening will dip below zero before slowly climbing into the morning Monday.

With temperatures in the 20s through the duration of the event any snow that comes down will stick, causing slick conditions through Sunday morning. Keep that in mind if you head out in the morning.