Winter Storm Warning: Up To 11 Inches Of Snow Possible For Parts Of IL

ILLINOIS — Two rounds of snow wintry weather — with very wet, accumulating snow — are expected starting Monday night through Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service, and new snowfall estimates show that some areas could get nearly a foot of snow.

NWS has also issued new predictions for what time the snowfall could begin, saying most of the Chicago area will likely start to see snowfall between 9 and 11 p.m. Monday.

The first round is expected on Monday night through early Tuesday, followed by the second round Tuesday afternoon. The weather service said precipitation rates will ease around daybreak into mid-morning Tuesday for most of the area.

Snow totals will vary depending on where you live. A winter storm warning has been issued for Lake, McHenry, Kane, Winnebago, Boone, Lee, Ogle, DeKalb and LaSalle counties until midnight.

The rest of the Chicago area is under a winter weather advisory from 8 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the weather service, with estimated snowfall totals of between 2 and 5 inches.

According to the National Weather Service, 5 to 8 inches of snow is possible for Kane, Lake and LaSalle counties, while 7 to a whopping 11 inches is possible in McHenry, DeKalb, Boone, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties.

Wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph in the winter storm warning area.

Hazardous travel expected

Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hours are possible briefly late Monday, the weather service said.

Travel could be difficult, especially Tuesday morning, according to the weather service.

"While the snow rates may ease by daybreak, expect the Tuesday morning commute to be significantly altered by the overnight heavy, wet snow," the weather service said Monday morning.

NWS was predicting peak snowfall rates between 8 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Tuesday, and again late Tuesday morning through mid-afternoon.

Adjustments to snow amounts and locations could still continue in future forecasts, the weather service said. The first round of snow will see higher snow amounts for the areas south and west of Chicago, while Tuesday's round of snow will see more accumulation for areas northwest of I-55 and I-94.

After the two rounds of wintry weather, there are more snow chances later in the week, and another winter storm could be headed our way over the weekend.

After snow on Monday and Tuesday, the weather service said the Chicago area will "remain in a busy pattern," and there are additional chances for snow on Wednesday into Thursday, and potentially a "more significant" winter weather system this weekend.

Shovel safely

When shoveling wet and heavy snow, the weather service reminds shovelers to dress warmly, stay hydrated, take frequent breaks and move only small amounts of snow.