Snow totals from Tuesday night and when the next chance for snow returns

 

The band of heavy snow that moved in late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning was a bit of an overproducer, yielding between 1-3 inches of snow across northern Illinois. Rockford's airport recorded 1.9 inches, with 3 inches reported in Pearl City, IL and 2 inches in Freeport, IL.

A break from the wintry weather can be expected Wednesday evening as cloud cover holds thick throughout the night. Temperatures will hold steady throughout the evening, dipping into the low 20s early Thursday.

Our next storm system located in the Pacific Northwest will move through the Rockies tonight, and then into the Plains and Midwest Thursday. As it does, winds will turn to the south Thursday ushering in a slightly warmer air mass. Just how warm will be key in what type of precipitation, and how much, we see Thursday afternoon and evening. Temperatures during the afternoon will warm into the low 30s once again.

The track of the low is forecast to move right over northern Illinois, centered along the Highway 20 corridor. This type of track favors areas north of the low to receive several inches of snow which is why there are Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories in place stretching from Wisconsin back northwest into the Plains. 

South of the low snow totals will be less with a slightly higher chance for a little more of a wintry mix to occur. There continues to be some wobbles in the overall forecast model guidance with regards to the track of the low, but the forecast Wednesday evening calls for snow totals of 1-2 inches from near the state line down through Highway 72. North of the state line totals will be higher and locations south of I-88 may see more of a wintry mix during the late afternoon and evening. 

Following a lull in the precipitation Thursday evening snow showers will ramp back up early Friday as cold air wraps in behind the low. North winds will also increase, gusting 30-35 mph throughout the day Friday. The snow Friday morning will have an impact on the morning commute, so be prepared for slick and snowy conditions during the morning.