Winter Storm Watch expanded into northern Illinois

Winter Storm Watch:

With a secondary system schedule to arrive over the weekend, the National Weather Service expanded the WINTER STORM WATCH to include Jo-Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, and Whiteside Counties.  

 

  

Timing Out the Precipitation: 

Forecast models show precipitation starting around Saturday evening and Saturday night, staring off light as a scattered mix of rain and snow. By Sunday morning, better moisture will have arrived with much milder air. This, along with temperatures surging into the low 50s will flips things over to all rain.

 

As the low-pressure system moves through, colder air will quickly spill in from the northwest, changing any precipitation to a heavier wintry mix and eventually to moderate to heavy snow. Snow will gradually taper off through Monday afternoon.  

Like the storm system that is passing through today, Sunday's will bring strong winds with frequent gusts of 35 to 45 mph on the table. Winds will blow from the south and southeast Sunday before shifting to the northwest Sunday evening into Sunday night. This will leave temperatures in the 20s for Monday and St. Patrick's Day. 

Highest potential for snowfall accumulations remains in areas to the north of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, mainly up in northern half of Wisconsin and in the upper peninsula of Michigan. 
 

High Wind Warning: Hazardous travel and power outages expected

High Wind Warning: 

You'll want to hold onto everything this morning as these winds are quite intense. Several locales across the Stateline have already observed gusts over 50 mph, including a 58 mph gust in Janesville and a 52 mph gust in Rockford. Because this trend is set to spill into the afternoon, all counties will remain under a HIGH WIND WARNING until 4PM. 

Timing Out the Winds: 

The strongest winds of the day - frequently gusting between 50 and 60 mph - are expected to occur this morning as a fast-moving clipper system to our north pulls a cold front through the region. This will tighten the pressure gradient at the surface, allowing west to northwest winds to remain intense. 

 

Impacts: 

Expect a wide range of impacts - including power outages and difficult travel. Winds this strong will be able to snap tree limbs and put extra stress on power lines, resulting in scattered power outages. 

Traveling will be rather challenging, especially for those who operate a high-profile vehicle as strong crosswinds can make it difficult to maintain control on open stretches of road. 

Lastly, loose outdoor items may be blown around and minor property damage is possible as the strongest winds move through.  Winds will gradually ease through the late afternoon and evening as the clipper system pulls away and the pressure gradient unwinds. By tonight, conditions will end up noticeably calmer, with temperatures falling into the upper 20s.

Increasing potential for heavy snow in Wisconsin Sunday into Monday

 A strong winter storm will impact the upper Midwest and Great Lakes Sunday into Monday, bringing the potential for some very heavy snowfall. Locally, we will see the potential for liquid rain, a mix of sleet and snow, then all snow through the course of Sunday into Monday.

Precipitation will begin Saturday evening and Saturday night in a lighter fashion as mix of mainly rain and snow. By Sunday morning, better moisture will have arrived with much milder air. This flips things over to all rain through much of Sunday.

Once the low pressure system passes by, colder air will quickly work in from the Northwest. This will flip things over to a heavy mix and eventually heavy snow. Snow will then taper off through Monday afternoon. The passing system will also come with strong winds frequently gusting to 30-40 mph. Winds will be from the Southeast through Sunday afternoon, then flip to the Northwest Sunday evening/night. Once snow begins to fall, visibility will be greatly reduced.

While far too early to discuss exact snowfall totals, it looks increasingly likely that parts of Central and Northern Wisconsin may be able to pick up 8" or more snowfall Sunday into Monday with blizzard conditions possible at times. The exact axis of the heaviest snow will be determined by the track of the low pressure itself, with a sharp gradient of little to no snow on the Southern edge of the storm dominated by wintry mix or rain.

A winter storm watch has already been issued for nearly all of Wisconsin for that potential for heavy snow Sunday into Monday. This watch extends all the way to the Illinois/Wisconsin state line, but confidence on winter storm conditions is not quite high enough yet for a watch locally.

High Wind Warning issued for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin Friday

 

A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin beginning early Friday morning and lasting through much of the afternoon. Wind gusts between 50-60 mph will be possible, with the strongest occurring between 4am and Noon.

A deepening low-pressure system, currently located over the High Plains will move across the Midwest and into the northern Great Lakes by Friday afternoon. As it does, winds will increase from the southwest Thursday night, gusting close to 45 mph by Midnight. The low will pull a warm front through the Stateline tonight, quickly followed by a cold front Friday morning.

Rain showers will be possible as both fronts move through, with the bulk of any precipitation occurring between 10pm and 4am. Drier air moves in Friday morning as temperatures aloft are expected to fall. This should limit any wintry precipitation during the morning commute, but there could be some light mixed precipitation around daybreak.

West winds will really begin to ramp up just before daybreak, gusting 50-60 mph with sustained winds between 25-35 mph. It's possible that wind damage to trees and power lines may occur, with power outages not out of the question. Especially if we get wind gusts nearing 55-60 mph. You'll want to make sure you take time this evening to secure any loose objects outdoors.

Ahead of the HIGH WIND WARNING there will be a WIND ADVISORY that goes into effect for Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, and Whiteside counties in northwest Illinois at 10pm. This will last until 4am Friday, switching over to the HIGH WIND WARNING.

Gusts up to 55 mph possible across northern Illinois Friday

Seasonable Thursday:

We experienced a little bit of everything Wednesday as a storm system pushed into the Great Lakes. This included thunderstorms, rain, a wintry mix, a bit of a cold wind, and some late-day sun. 

Fortunately, today brings a brief break from the damp and unsettled conditions, with sunshine returning, especially during the morning. Closer to the evening commute, cloud cover will thicken as a potent clipper system sets its sights on the Great Lakes.  

Winds Increases:  

The strength of this clipper system will be a major driver behind the increasing winds expected overnight into Friday morning. As the low rapidly deepens and races into the Great Lakes, the tightening pressure gradient on its southern flank will ramp up wind speeds and gusts across the region. 

  

For the, the National Weather Service has place all of our counties with the exception of McHenry County under a WIND ADVISORY. This advisory is set to be in place from 1AM to 6PM Friday. 

 

  

Winds overnight are expected to gust up to 45 mph, then 55 mph Friday morning. With winds peaking around the morning commute, its a good idea to take a few precautions before heading out. 

Secure or bring in any loose objects this evening so they're aren't found in your neighbors yard or down the street. While traveling, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, especially if you are someone who travels in a high-profile vehicle. Be mindful that winds during the morning commute will be strong out of the west. So, it might be difficult to travel on north and south oriented roadways. Winds should ease as we get into Friday evening, remaining light for the start of the weekend. 

Late weekend weather system could bring heavy snow, wintry mix

 Strong winds will be possible with a passing low pressure system on Friday, but another system will pass overhead Sunday into Monday. The positioning of this system will bring more widespread precipitation, including a potential for some very heavy snow.

It will also bring a period of stronger winds, but not quite as strong as Friday's. The winds are driven by an increase in pressure gradient, driven by the difference between the low pressure overhead and higher pressure filtering in behind it. Peak wind gusts may be near 30 mph at times Sunday and Monday.

This weather system will also come with quite a bit more precipitation than Friday's. There is a potential or some very heavy snowfall across parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The axis of very heavy snow will likely remain just North of the Stateline, with more of a mix of rain and snow across far Northern Illinois and primarily rain to the South.

Chill settles In, bringing new chances for rain‑snow mix

Wild Stretch:

From record highs to rounds of severe storms, it has been a wild stretch of weather lately. 

This wild stretch isn't over yet, though not in the way many of you might hope. With yesterday's storm system now moving out, we're heading into a colder and still unsettled weather pattern.

Wintry Mix Wednesday:

Northern Illinois will see yet another chance for rain showers, but this round comes with a twist. As temperatures rapidly cool aloft, some of that rainfall may mix with snow at times. Chances are highest during the morning when the colder air is most likely to overlap with the lingering moisture. For the afternoon, a few lingering flurries remain possible with highs peaking in the upper 30s. 

Friday's Clipper:

Thursday will be dry, but cloud cover to expected to though the afternoon progresses as a potent clipper system drops in from the northwest. 

With the low tracking to our north, temperatures will remain on the mild side, which could allow for a brief sprinkle or light rain shower. Much like today, cooler air will settle in on the backside of the system, likely changing any lingering precipitation to flurries as we head towards the midday hours Friday. Afternoon highs Friday will reach the mid 40s, cooling into the low for Saturday and Sunday.