Winter Storm Update

Our Winter Storm Watch has now been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for the entire area, from 6pm Thursday through 6pm Friday. This will be a long duration snow event, that will lead to high snow accumulations.

Through Thursday afternoon, there will be a few light snow showers and scattered flurries, however we won't see much if any accumulation with this. As we get into the afternoon, an approaching warm front will allow for upward lift to take place in the atmosphere allowing snow to begin. Snow will develop and move in from west to east from the late afternoon and into the early evening. With the presence of the warm front just south of the area, and it's low pressure system moving into western Illinois and then up into northeast Illinois, snow will continue to fall. Snow fall rates will be moderate to heavy at times Thursday evening through Friday morning.

Not much has changed in the forecast on how much snow we will see, by Friday morning we still look to have about 4-6" of snow on the ground, with another 2-4" likely through Friday afternoon and early evening. However, where we get mesoscale snow banding to set up, heavier snow will be likely for longer, which could bring some locations upwards of a foot of snow. In general, we can expect 6-10" of snow, with a few localized amounts near 12". Thought we will need to see if the heavier band of snow will shift south.

There could be some impacts felt for the Thursday evening commute, however the biggest impact will be felt for the Friday morning commute. Moderate to heavy snow will be falling during the Friday morning rush, and will cause dangerous driving conditions. Low visibility due to the falling snow, along with slick travel and snow covered roads will be likely.

As the low pressure system passes Friday evening, snow will begin to taper off. There still could be some impacts to the Friday evening commute home as well.

This type of snow will feature high liquid to snow ratios, which means a lighter some-what 'fluffy' snow that accumulates easily. Whether you receive 6" or 12" of snow, it will still make for limited visibility, slick and hazardous travel. Make sure you really take your time if you do have to leave tomorrow morning.