Freezing rain Thursday morning

(11:26:21 AM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: Richmond [Mchenry Co, IL] trained spotter reports HEAVY SNOW of E0.0 INCH at 11:00 AM CST -- snow starting to stick to roadways

11:15 am Update:  A Winter Weather Advisory has just been issued for Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and DeKalb counties throug 9pm this evening.  Radar trends are indicating cooling aloft has taken place a little sooner than anticipated and a switch over to snow has begun for southern Wisconsin and locations in far northern Illinois. 

9:20 am Update:  Temperatures remain in the 32° to 36° range but a current check at local observation sites shows the majority of precipitation is falling as light rain across northern Illinois with a light rain and sleet mixture in southern Wisconsin.  Less traveled roads will remain icy but as the temperature continues to warm slightly by noon that should help melt away some of the ice.  By this afternoon cold air wraps back into the system with a transition to snow expected around 1pm/2pm.  Typically, when we see a transition to snow from rain it can often be quick and heavy for the first hour or two but then usually lightens up.  This may be the case with this storm so be prepared for reduced visibility later today.  The snow will linger through the evening before clearing overnight.  Snowfall totals will remain in the 2"-4" around northern Illinois with lesser amounts found to the west and southwest and higher amounts in Wisconsin.

Previous Morning Update:
(8:51:48 AM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: Loves Park [Winnebago Co, IL] trained spotter reports FREEZING RAIN of E0.00 INCH at 08:42 AM CST -- trace of new ice/glaze. several roads ice covered in winnebago county.

A Freezing Rain Advisory has been issued for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties through 10am.  Temperatures this morning have been slow to rise past 32° and this has caused the rain that is currently falling to free on contact; especially to sidewalks, parking lots, bridges, overpasses, ramps, etc. 

Allow yourself extra time this morning because the roads may look wet but in fact have black ice on them.  By mid-morning temperatures will warm to the mid 30s switching anything frozen back over to rain.