How Much Snow Has Fallen So Far: Chicago Area Snowfall Totals

ACROSS ILLINOIS — The first snowfall of the season is underway across the Chicago area, and, as of early Tuesday morning, it looks the Plainfield and Naperville area has seen the most accumulation so far.

A winter weather advisory will remain in effect through noon today for Will and Grundy counties while the snow is expected to last longer across the rest of the Chicago area. A winter weather advisory in place until 6 a.m. Wednesday for McHenry, Lake, DuPage and northern and central Cook counties where two to 5 inches of snow is expected to fall during this winter storm.

Locally higher snowfall totals, near 6 inches, are possible across interior portions of Lake, northwest Cook, and McHenry counties, according to weather officials.

As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the most snow had fallen along a narrow line that stretches from Plainfield to LaGrange, according to the National Weather Service. Here's a look at snowfall totals so far:

• Plainfield: 3.5 inches
• Naperville: 3.5 inches
• Downers Grove: 3.1 inches
• La Grange Park: 2.7 inches

The National Weather Service said the snow is expected throughout the day Tuesday — and drivers should expect slushy accumulations on the roads, bridges and overpasses. Gusty snow showers are possible Wednesday across much of the Chicago area as well, and the snow could continue Thursday, with accumulations and snow squalls possible.

• Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Illinois: 2 To 5 Inches Of Snow

After that, extreme cold could hit staring Friday and continuing through the weekend, with wind chills at zero degrees and possibly lower, according to the National Weather Service.

The accumulating snow is happening earlier than is typical for the Chicago area this year. Typically, the normal first date for snowfall that is more than 1 inch is Dec. 7, according to the National Weather Service. The earliest first snowfall of the season happened on Oct. 19, 1989, and the latest first snow date was recorded on Jan. 25, 2013.

For those already ready for winter to be over, we've got a ways to go. Typically, the last major snowfall, with more than 1 inch of snow, happens on March 20. Trace amounts of snow still typically fall, an average, through April 14, according to the National Weather Service.

• 'Shivery And Snowy' Illinois Winter Coming: Old Farmer's Almanac

Check the National Weather Service for the latest updates, and check back to Patch.com for weather-related news in the coming days.