Windy and Snowy Weather Expected in the Region
A rainy Wednesday morning will give way to high winds and even light snow, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team, with gusts of up to 45 miles-per-hour at times.
The high winds come as other parts of the U.S. saw gusts of 60 or 70 mph on Tuesday, including in parts of Kansas, with more high winds expected on Wednesday.
Rain and Wind in the Morning
Around 5:20 a.m., pockets of rain and drizzle were scattered across Lake and McHenry counties, Illinois doppler radar showed. Waves of rain showers and some heavy downpours were expected to continue through at least lunchtime, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said.
Get Ready for a Wet Commute
"Be prepared for another wet commute," the National Weather Service warned in a message posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. In Northwest Indiana, a lakeshore flood advisory will take effect later Wednesday, with the NWS warning of possible flooding and erosion.
Snow and Wind in the Afternoon and Evening
Temperatures will hit their warmest early on in the day, Roman said, with highs around 50 degrees by 12 p.m. By afternoon, temperatures will drop into the low-to-mid 30s, with light snow expected around 3 p.m. and through evening rush hour.
"Very light snow," Roman said. "But we could see a coating; maybe upwards of half-an-inch to an inch."
Roman warned that roads could become slick at that time, potentially snarling traffic.
Wind Advisory and Power Outages
At 2 p.m., a wind advisory will go into effect, with the NWS warning of gusts as high as 45 miles-per-hour.
"Winds this strong can make driving difficult," the NWS said. "Use extra caution."
The NWS also warned that the winds could lead to downed tree limbs and power outages.
What to Expect this Week and Beyond
According to Roman, the strongest winds were expected to occur in the evening, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the advisory expiring at midnight.
Thursday will be bright but colder, Roman said, with highs in the low 40s, followed by another spring system bringing rain and snow chances Friday. Temperatures will remain in the 40s over the weekend, Roman added.
By next week, temperatures will bump back up, Roman said, with highs approaching 60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the expected weather like today?
A: A rainy morning will give way to high winds and light snow, with gusts of up to 45 miles-per-hour at times.
Q: What is the current weather situation like?
A: Pockets of rain and drizzle are scattered across Lake and McHenry counties, with waves of rain showers and some heavy downpours expected to continue through at least lunchtime.
Q: What is the expected temperature range for the day?
A: Temperatures will hit their warmest early on in the day, with highs around 50 degrees by 12 p.m. By afternoon, temperatures will drop into the low-to-mid 30s, with light snow expected around 3 p.m. and through evening rush hour.
Q: What is the expected wind situation?
A: A wind advisory will go into effect at 2 p.m., with gusts as high as 45 miles-per-hour expected. The strongest winds are expected to occur in the evening, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the advisory expiring at midnight.
