Snow-Covered Roads Cause Slippage, Lake-Effect Snow Expected Later in the Day
Snow-covered roads were creating slippery conditions for the Friday morning rush hour commute in the Chicago area, with more snow expected to fall as the morning progressed, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team. The Friday morning snowfall comes after counties across the Chicago area saw periods of snow and freezing drizzle overnight, with an additional one to two inches of new accumulation expected by Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
"For the morning commute, watch for snow-covered roads, reduced visibility, and slick roads," said NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman.
As of 6 a.m., NBC 5 traffic reporter Kye Martin reported several crashes and spin-outs across Chicago and suburban roads and highways. In Chicago, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications warned of black ice on streets.
Early Friday morning, some parts of Kane, Kendall, and Cook counties were seeing heavier snowfall, Roman said. In Will County, periods of freezing rain or drizzle were expected to pass through.
Lake-Effect Snow Expected Later in the Day
Snow will continue across the area early this morning, with new accumulations up to an inch. Untreated roads will become snow-covered and slick. Snow ends from northwest to southeast through the mid-morning hours, with lake-effect snow expected this afternoon and tonight, mainly near the Lake Michigan shore. #ILwx #INwx
A winter weather advisory was in effect until 12 p.m. Friday in Kenosha and Racine counties, with one to two inches of snow expected to fall. In Western Michigan, some schools were closed due to weather, according to reports.
Forecast for the Weekend and Beyond
By 10 a.m. Friday, snow will move out of most areas, Roman said. However, around 2 p.m., a plume of lake-effect snow is expected to move across parts of Lake, Cook, and Will counties before it moves off to the east.
Later Friday night in Northwest Indiana, heavy snow was expected to continue falling, with an additional two inches possible in and around Valparaiso, the National Weather Service said. Winds will also pick up Friday, with gusts as high as 35 miles per hour. Temperatures are expected to stay steady in the mid-30s, Roman said.
Saturday will be colder, with highs in the 20s. Sunday will be milder, with temperatures back in the 30s. A system on Monday is expected to bring a rain-snow mix to the area, but forecast models now show much of the area will be dry, Roman said.
The dry weather continues on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, but the same can’t be said for Christmas Day. "Christmas morning, Christmas rain it looks like," Roman said, with rain expected through the afternoon. High temperatures on Christmas will hit 42 degrees, with temperatures near 50 by the end of Christmas week.
How Much Snow Could We Get?
Much of the Chicago area could expect an additional two inches of snow on Friday, Roman said. In Northwest Indiana, higher accumulations could stack up thanks to lake-effect snow. In Will County, 1.7 inches of snow was recorded Friday morning, with 2.1 inches in Winnebago. At O’Hare International Airport in Cook County, two inches of snow was reported. In Lindenhurst, snow totals were already at four inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much snow can we expect on Friday?
A: Much of the Chicago area could expect an additional two inches of snow.
Q: What about lake-effect snow?
A: Lake-effect snow is expected this afternoon and tonight, mainly near the Lake Michigan shore.
Q: Will the weather be cold over the weekend?
A: Saturday will be colder, with highs in the 20s. Sunday will be milder, with temperatures back in the 30s.
Q: What’s the forecast for Christmas?
A: Christmas morning will be rainy, with rain expected through the afternoon. High temperatures on Christmas will hit 42 degrees, with temperatures near 50 by the end of Christmas week.
