Winter Weather Advisory through Monday - Impacts to Monday's Commute

Updated road conditions:
https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/winterconditions/

11:00pm Update: Bands of moderate snow continue to move through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  Snow totals range anywhere from roughly one, up to two inches so far.  The snow is very light and fluffy, and will blow around in open areas through the night and Monday morning.


(9:35:06 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: Somonauk [De Kalb Co, IL] public reports SNOW of E1.0 INCH at 09:20 PM CST -- estimated one inch.



9:30pm Road Condition update:

Beginning to see roads become at least partly snow covered Sunday evening.  Heavier snow has fallen over Whiteside County with county roads now reported as mostly snow/ice covered. 

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin through most of Monday as light to moderate snow falls through Monday afternoon and evening.


The light snow that fell Sunday afternoon and evening didn't amount to much, perhaps a dusting up to a couple tenths of an inch, but it was enough to cause some county roads over western Illinois to become partly snow/ice

covered.  The snow that is currently coming down is actually ahead of the main area of low pressure still back over Minnesota.  This low is expected to move through during the overnight and pass into the Great Lakes by late Monday afternoon.  As it moves closer, the snow will pick up in intensity likely dropping visibility through the night and first thing Monday morning.  Snow totals during the overnight will range anywhere from two, to four inches.


As the surface low pressure system pulls further to the east a band of heavier snow will develop along the back edge of the low, extending up to the northwest.  This band of moderate to heavy snow - right now - looks to develop over parts of central and eastern Wisconsin - enhancing some lake effect snow along the shores of Lake Michigan during the day on Monday.  However, if that band of heavier snow shifts a bit further to the south then an additional two inches of snow could fall Monday for parts of southern Wisconsin and far northern Illinois - lining up west of Madison to Rockford and near DeKalb.  As the forecast stands right now, totals likely between 3 to 5 inches of snow will be common when all said and done.  Unless the heavier band of snow Monday sets up further south.

Southerly winds Sunday evening will keep temperatures in the upper 20's.  The incoming snow will be very light and fluffy because it will be a 'dry' snow (not a lot of moisture content).  Dry snow not only tends to 'fluff' up a bit more, but it's easier to blow around in the wind.  Winds speeds won't be overly strong during the overnight, but winds gusting to 20-25 mph during the first half of Monday will cause the snow to blow around on the roads as well. 


Light snow showers will continue through Monday evening as the upper level trough moves through.  And some of those could even last into early Tuesday morning.


Most kids have off of school Monday morning, so we shouldn't have to worry about school closing.  But many of us will be heading back into work.  The commute not only Monday morning, but most likely through much of the day, will be slow.  Give yourself a little extra time because that will be needed.