Snow Hits Chicago Area, Bringing Heavy Lake Effect Snow
With the first snow of the season — in the middle of fall — the Chicago area looked like a snow globe.
Overnight and early Monday morning, a winter storm dumped heavy, lake effect snow to many parts, including between six and 12 inches in some parts. But other areas, especially to the west saw “barely a dusting.”
“Quite the snowstorm, depending on where you live,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack said.
Where the Snow Fell
According to Sack, isolated areas in Lake and Kankakee Counties in Illinois, parts of northwest Indiana and parts of southeast Wisconsin were “bullseyes” for where the most snow fell, with other parts spared. Later Monday morning, snowflakes were continuing to fall in Chicago as a plume of lake effect snow was winding its way through.
Those flakes were expected to continue falling through about 12 p.m. in Illinois, Sack said, bringing between one and two inches of additional accumulation. After that, it will move into northwest Indiana, where a before bringing more snow into northwest Indiana.
“Expect additional accumulations up to 1-3 inches (with localized higher amounts) in addition to reduced visibility and hazardous travel,” the National National Weather Service said. “Use caution if traveling in northwest IN.”
Chicago Winter Makes an Entrance
Chicago winter is making quite the entrance! Video taken Monday morning shows snow-filled skies and blanketed sidewalks in the city’s downtown area.
Weather Forecast
As sunshine moves in, temperatures Monday would be cold, Sack said, with a high of 35 degrees and an even colder wind chill. Overnight, clear skies were expected, with a slight chance of rain and snow for the morning commute.
“Then, we start to warm-up,” Sack said. “Slowly but surely, we’ll climb out of the deep freeze we’ve been in.”
Snow Totals
As the snow continues, here’s a look at where snow totals stand, according to the National Weather Service, as of 11 a.m.
- Buffalo Grove: 2.6 inches
- Cedar Lake, Indiana: 11.3 inches
- Chicago (West Ridge): 3.5 inches
- Crown Point, Indiana: 10 inches
- Demotte, Indiana: 6.5 inches
- Evanston: 3.3 inches
- Gary, Indiana: 6.1 inches
- Gurnee: 5 inches
- Highland Park: 2.4 inches
- Hobart, Indiana: 6.5 inches
- Kenosha, Wisconsin: 6 inches
- Lincolnwood: 3.4 inches
- Lowell, Indiana: 10 inches
- Midway Airport: 2.5 inches
- Momence: 12 inches
- Mundelein: 5.1 inches
- Munster, Indiana: 4.4 inches
- O’Hare Airport: 1.7 inches
- Palos Park: 1.8 inches
- Palatine: 1.7 inches
- Park Forest: 2.7 inches
- Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin: 11.2 inches
- Schererville, Indiana: 6.2 inches
- St. John, Indiana: 10.5 inches
- Tinley Park: 2.7 inches
- Wadsworth: 6.5 inches
- Winthrop Harbor: 10 inches
- Winnetka: 3.5 inches
- Valparaiso, Indiana: 9.5 inches
Conclusion
The snowstorm that hit the Chicago area brought heavy lake effect snow to many parts, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches of snow. The National Weather Service warned of additional accumulations and hazardous travel conditions, and residents were advised to use caution when traveling. As the snow continues to fall, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest weather forecast and snow totals.
FAQs
Q: How much snow fell in the Chicago area?
A: The amount of snow that fell in the Chicago area varied, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches of snow.
Q: What areas were most affected by the snowstorm?
A: Isolated areas in Lake and Kankakee Counties in Illinois, parts of northwest Indiana, and parts of southeast Wisconsin were “bullseyes” for where the most snow fell.
Q: What is the weather forecast for the next few days?
A: Temperatures are expected to be cold, with a high of 35 degrees and an even colder wind chill. Overnight, clear skies are expected, with a slight chance of rain and snow for the morning commute.
Q: Are there any travel advisories in effect?
A: Yes, the National Weather Service has warned of hazardous travel conditions and reduced visibility, and residents are advised to use caution when traveling.
