Snow returns Friday, Slushy accumulations possible

 

High pressure to the south Thursday allowed sun-filled skies to return for much of the Midwest, locally warming temperatures into the low 40s. Cloud cover will soon return ahead of our next storm system forecast to slip south of the Stateline, bringing at least some accumulating snow Friday afternoon.

That storm system is currently out over the west and will get caught up in the fast-moving jet stream winds that'll push it closer towards the Midwest and Great Lakes Thursday night. Light precipitation in the form of snow will develop west of the Mississippi River along an elevated frontal boundary. This boundary will extend through Iowa and into northern Illinois during the day Friday.

Clouds will be first to increase Thursday night before light snow moves in from west to east early Friday morning. Most of what comes down Friday will be in the form of snow, but warmer air trying to move in during the afternoon could allow for more of a mix of rain and snow across the southern portions of the viewing area.

Temperatures will remain in the low to mid 30s throughout the day, and that combined with the higher March sun angle will likely limit the overall amount of snow that does accumulate. However, a narrow corridor of stronger forcing - or lift - will set up over northern Illinois. Where this occurs there will likely be some snow that sticks, adding up to at least an inch or so. Some impacts to the morning and afternoon commute can be expected, especially where the snow sticks to the roads.

Most of the precipitation will be done by Friday evening with drier conditions and warming temperatures into the weekend.