Winter Storm Warning: 8+ Inches Of Snow Possible For IL

ILLINOIS — Winter storm watches have been issued as more than 8 inches of snow and 45 mph wind gust are possible with a winter storm beginning late Thursday into early Friday, according to the National Weather Service. At times, "travel could be very difficult to impossible," according to the National Weather Service.

The first round of wet snow will start after midnight, with peak snowfall between 2 and 8 a.m. that could snarl the morning commute. The weather service said there could be a few hours on Friday morning where snow impacts the morning commute, with snow rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, mainly along and north of Interstate 80.

There will be a brief lull in the snow on Friday morning as the snow changes to rain across parts of the Chicago area by late morning. But by Friday afternoon, the rain will switch back to all snow areawide, the National Weather Service said, adding the second round of snow Friday afternoon through Friday night will be a fluffier snow, but increasing winds will make for dangerous travel due to blowing snow and near-zero visibility.

The worst impacts from the winter storm will likely be Friday afternoon through early Saturday.

"Snow will become fluffier Friday evening and overnight as winds increase, leading to potential near-blizzard conditions at times and dangerous travel into Saturday morning," the weather service said.

Travel could be even more dangerous as gusty winds could bring down tree branches and power lines, and rapidly falling temperatures Friday night may lead to a flash freeze on untreated surfaces, according to NWS.

Winter Storm Warnings Issued

Winter storm warnings have been issued for the entire Chicago area, with a warning in effect for La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, southern Cook and Will counties from 3 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Those areas could see in excess of 6 inches of snow, the National Weather said.

A winter storm warning goes into effect for Lake County as well as central and northern Cook at 3 a.m. as well, with snowfall in excess of 8 inches possible.

More than 8 inches of snow is also possible for DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Boone, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties, according to the National Weather Service.

In other parts of the state — Henderson, Mercer, Henry and Rock Island counties — a blizzard warning goes into effect at 5 p.m. Friday, and there residents could see up to 14 inches of snow, the NWS said.

Bitter Cold Coming

After the winter storm, a "bitterly cold air mass" will move across the Chicago area starting on Sunday, with wind chills as cold as 20 degrees below zero.

The lowest wind chills could be colder than 30 below zero, particularly Monday and Tuesday morning, according to the NWS.

Amid the bitter cold, area residents who are without heat or power should find a warming center near them.

Ahead of the snowstorm on Thursday, multiple Illinois schools districts had already closed schools for Friday or switched to elearning.