The transition over to heavy snow was quick across portions of northwest Illinois Tuesday afternoon after nearly an inch and a half of rain fell earlier in the day. The heavy snow produced snowfall rates close to an inch per hour, adding up between 2-3 inches of snow for portions of Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll counties causing a few accidents this afternoon. Further to the east the snow wasn't quite as heavy but did reduce visibility down to a mile across far northern Illinois.
As drier air is now beginning to wrap in around the surface low moving over Lake Michigan we will continue with a lull in the wintry precipitation through Tuesday evening. There will still be some flurries, drizzle, and light rainfall from time to time as temperatures are in the low 30s, but any measurable precipitation has briefly come to an end.
The snow will, however, move back in after
Midnight increasing in coverage through Wednesday morning's commute. This is as low pressure moves back west into Wisconsin and then eventually back down into northeast Illinois near Chicago. Heavier bands of snow will occur during the morning which will likely reduce visibility through Wednesday morning. The heavier bursts of snow may also allow some of the area roads to quickly become snow covered leading to slick and hazardous travel through the morning. This is likely to last through Noon before we begin to see some rain mix in for the afternoon. Scattered rain and snow showers will also be possible through Thursday afternoon.
Snowfall totals between Tuesday and Wednesday will add up between 2-5 inches over northwest and north-central Illinois, with totals a little less over portions of southern DeKalb and Lee counties. Winter Weather Advisories remain in place for all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin through Wednesday. Snow totals will be higher where Winter Storm Warnings are in place across central Wisconsin.
North winds will also be increasing as the surface low deepens through Wednesday afternoon. Wind gusts already Tuesday evening are nearing, and exceeding, 30 mph. North winds will only increase through the night, at times gusting to 40 mph into Wednesday morning. Wind gusts between 40-45 mph will be possible Wednesday afternoon. This will not only cause issues with visibility and the falling snow, but it will make travel on east/west roads very difficult.
It'll be a good idea to plan for a little extra time during the morning commute as the snow is falling. Be ready for quickly changing road conditions and visibility throughout the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment