CHICAGO — Snowfall that began Thursday afternoon will continue overnight and into Friday, likely impacting the morning commute. Travel could be slippery in some areas, especially untreated thoroughfares.
In addition to the snow, conditions will be cloudy and windy, with some gusts up to 40 MPH in the morning hours.
The snow should wind down for most areas by around midday, but precipitation transitions to lake effect snow showers along the Illinois/Indiana shoreline.
One to 3 inches of snow is expected, with the heaviest amounts in the north suburbs.
Thursday evening snow totals:
The heaviest snowfall has fallen north across portions of Wisconsin, where some areas have received more than half a foot of snow. Locally across the Chicago area, snowfall totals have been rather unimpressive thus far, with the highest tallies around 1.0" across the far northwest suburbs. More snow is expected overnight and it could be locally heavy at times and impact the first half of the morning commute.
Current Radar Track:
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Snowfall Prediction:
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Friday Wind Gust Forecast:
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Looking Ahead:
Friday night: Partly cloudy, markedly colder most areas. Lake effect snow showers gradually shift into northern Indiana. Lows range from the upper single digits outlying areas to the mid to upper teens downtown Chicago. Low: 16.
Saturday: Partly sunny, but cold. Some lingering lake effect snow showers early from Porter County, IN and areas east. Not quite as windy. High: 25.
Saturday is the winter solstice, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve got an explainer on the solstice and the equinox and how the Earth’s march around the sun splits up the year.
Getting to your Christmas Day destinations should not be an issue. Conditions will be mild by December standards, with no precipitation and temperatures well above freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How much snow is expected?
A: One to 3 inches of snow is expected, with the heaviest amounts in the north suburbs.
Q: Will the snow impact my morning commute?
A: Yes, the snow could impact the first half of the morning commute, making travel slippery in some areas, especially untreated thoroughfares.
Q: What about the weekend weather?
A: Saturday is expected to be partly sunny, but cold, with some lingering lake effect snow showers early from Porter County, IN and areas east. High: 25.
Q: Is it safe to travel on Christmas Day?
A: Yes, conditions will be mild by December standards, with no precipitation and temperatures well above freezing, making it a great day to travel.
