Wednesday evening snow update: Heavier snow moves back in, continues for some

9PM UPDATE: Light to moderate snow continues to fall late this evening but will begin to wrap up from southwest to northeast over the next couple of hours. Roads remain slick, snow covered, and hazardous to travel given the heavier bursts of snow through the evening.

While the accumulating snow will begin to taper off early Thursday morning the impacts on the roads will still be felt through the morning commute. As a little drier air works in through the night it's possible that some very light freezing drizzle could occur after Midnight. Otherwise, as north winds continue to blow through the night there will be some blowing and drifting snow in open and rural areas. During the day Thursday the wind direction will shift to the northwest which could pose a risk for north/south roads as well. Winds will turn light through the evening which will eventually allow temperatures to fall below zero early Friday.

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The snow Wednesday morning was quick to move in across northwest Illinois adding up to a couple inches before mid-morning before spreading east through Noon. Drier air, however, drifted in from the southwest early afternoon which caused a lull in some of the snow activity south of Rockford. To the north and west heavier bands of snow continued.

Snow totals so far range from about two inches in our far southern counties all the way up to six inches west of Rockford. Freeport has recorded six inches so far. The lull in some of the snow activity has come to an end as another round of heavier snow moves in from the southwest. This has caused visibility to drop under two miles in many locations which will continue to create hazardous travel conditions through late evening.

Where some improvements were noted on the roads earlier this afternoon the second round of snow was quick to cover them. Many roads across the area are now being reported as mostly to completely snow covered.

An additional 1-3 inches of snow can be expected through the evening as embedded heavier bands of snow work through. Travel will remain slick and hazardous, especially now that the sun has set. If you have to be out this evening, please make sure you are traveling with caution. Roads are slick.

North winds will also be an issue as they gust close to 25 mph through the night. Blowing snow will occur, although not significant, through Thursday morning. This will be highest in the more open and rural areas of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

High pressure moves in Thursday which will clear our skies but cause temperatures to remain in the teens. Overnight lows will dip below zero Thursday night before our next round of snow moves in late Friday afternoon.