Many weather concerns today

Dense Fog Advisory issued for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties through 8am


First order of business is the fog and freezing fog this morning.  Dense fog has formed across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin as moisture continues to pool in the Midwest.  The fog will last through the morning and as temperatures have fallen well below freezing, there will likely be slick spots found on elevated surfaces, sidewalks and parking lots.  Visibility has gone down to less than a quarter mile in many locations so be sure to give yourself extra time.

Once we get rid of the fog this morning all eyes will turn to our evolving storm system currently across the Plains.  Light rain is now falling across southern Iowa and Missouri this morning out ahead of a warm front.  As this system moves closer, I would expect light rain or a mixture of rain and snow to begin either late this morning or early afternoon.  By this evening any rain/snow mixture should change over to all snow and potentially become a heavy, wet snow.  The heaviest of the snow will likely fall after about 6pm tonight and into the overnight as low pressure tracks out of the Plains and into Missouri and southern Illinois. 

Winter Storm Watches continue for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties while a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Rock and Walworth counties beginning this evening.  Our western counties have been dropped from this watch because of the more southern track of the low.  The heaviest of the snow is likely to fall just to our south and across northeast Illinois where totals could near six inches as the best lift and forcing will be found there.  Overall, about 3" to 6" will fall, but some of this snow may melt initially when it reaches the ground due to the recent mild weather.  Our northwest counties may experience totals closer to the 3" mark or less due to the fact that they're further away from the forcing of the storm.  In the band of the heaviest snow, this is where totals may exceed the six inch mark.  I want to continue to stress that this system has changed dramatically over the past 24 hours so some adjustments will likely be needed going forward today.