[12:15AM MONDAY] Just measured about 1-2" of snow outside of WTVO as of 12AM. We are in a bit of a lull between waves of steadier snowfall right now, with snow expected to pick up again over the next hour or two. This will coincide with an increase in winds pushing 40-50 mph, likely driving the worst visibility and driving conditions of the night through 6-8AM.
[11:20PM] Road conditions, snowfall rates, and visibilities continue to deteriorate late Sunday night. Most Stateline roads are now reported as "completely" snow/ice covered with snow still falling at a good clip. Visibility is under one mile for many, nearing white-out conditions. PLEASE take it slow if you must be out tonight or early Monday morning. BLIZZARD WARNINGS remain in effect through Monday afternoon.
[9:30PM] Snowfall continues to spread over the Stateline, with only a little bit of lingering mix far to the East. Road conditions and visibility are deteriorating rapidly, with partly to mostly snow-covered roads in many spots and visibility down near or below a mile. Conditions will continue to deteriorate quickly through the night.
[8:30PM] RADAR: Most in the Stateline along and West of I-39 have flipped over to snow, with some pockets of heavier snow developing within. Further East hasn't transitioned to snow just yet with some sleet and rain in DeKalb and McHenry Counties. Where snow has begun to fall, visibility is already below 2 miles.
[7:30PM] HEADLINE UPDATE: Southern Wisconsin was also converted over to a Blizzard Warning which is now in effect through Monday afternoon. Northern Illinois Counties including Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, and areas East will see their Blizzard Warning go into effect at 10PM and also run through Monday afternoon.
[7:00PM] HEADLINE UPDATE: The Winter Storm Warning for Northern IL which was set to begin at 7PM was upgraded to a Blizzard Warning which will now begin at 10PM. This was extended to include McHenry & DeKalb Counties as well. The Winter Storm Warning in Southern WI remains in effect. All hazards run through the night and into early/mid afternoon Monday.
[6:00PM] Precipitation has begun to ease up a bit for many in the Stateline with the "dry slot" of the weather system moving overhead. That will quickly be filled back in with heavy snow from the West, with visibility near zero in some locations in Eastern Iowa. Snow is expected to begin for Northwestern Illinois around 7PM, moving into North-Central Illinois by 8-10PM and Northeastern Illinois around 10-11PM.
[3:30PM] Most in the Stateline continue to see liquid precipitation, radar is indicating we may see some wintry mix or heavy snow beginning to fall in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Jo Daviess County. We may see an hour or two window of lighter precipitation and/or a wintry mix, but heavy snow expected to take over between 5-10PM from Northwest to Southeast.
[2:30PM] FORECAST UPDATE: Things are still generally on track this evening, but temperatures have been dropping a touch quicker than initially expected.
I don't quite think that flips us over to snow just yet, as temperatures are still above freezing through the first few thousand feet above the surface. But as temperatures near the ground cool quicker, we may see some periods of sleet or freezing rain this afternoon. That said, we have already changed over to snow in Green County, WI where some thundersnow has been reported! Accumulations will be slow at first given the warm and wet ground.
I'm still watching one storm cell in particular producing lightning in Eastern Whiteside County, moving into Ogle and Lee Counties as of 2:30PM. This storm is capable of producing some small hail and gusty winds but remains below severe limits at this time.
Surfaces will cool quickly this evening, but there may be some periods of dry time between the heavy rain/mix before we fully switch over to the snow machine. Either way, I think we are all snow by 10-11PM for most, and that initial wave of snow will pack a punch with increasing winds, potentially gusting above 45 mph, particularly West of I-39. Visibility will likely drop below a mile and at times, down to a half mile. Heaviest snow lasts through 6-8AM before winding down midday Monday. Blowing and drifting snow will remain a concern into the afternoon.
Southern Wisconsin Counties are now under a WINTER STORM WARNING that will run through Monday afternoon. A BLIZZARD WARNING will go into effect for NW Illinois beginning at 7PM. North Central Illinois will go under a WINTER STORM WARNING at 7PM, while Northeastern Illinois will be under a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY starting at 10PM.
I'm still expecting between 2-6" of snow for the large majority of the area, with pockets of higher totals North and West of Rockford. There is likely a sharp cutoff of snowfall South of the area, limiting totals the further Southeast of Rockford you get.
Even though totals may not be all that impressive for a winter storm, the winds will be the big driver behind impacts, with major visibility issues overnight and blowing snow through Monday. Stay tuned for updates through the night!
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