Coldest Air This Winter Expected; Blizzard Conditions

Written by Ted Schnell

The “coldest air so far this winter” is scheduled to arrive tonight after a snowy Sunday leaves a coating of snow, according to AccuWeather.

 A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday for much of the Chicago area, according to the National Weather Service. More snow was to begin before dawn Sunday thanks to another Albert clipper that moved into the area, AccuWeather says, which predicts 1 to 3 inches of snow by by the time the snowfall diminishes this afternoon.

And, while AccuWeather says winds will be brisk today, driving conditions tonight will become more treacherous due to slick conditions and drifting. Wind gusts could reach up to 45 mph. 

The National Weather Service says there may be some additional snow also this evening and the combination of wind and snow could lead to "blizzard conditions at times … especially in open and rural areas." 

The winds will also drive down wind chills and a wind chill warning will be in effect from 3 a.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Wednesday. Wind chill values could be between -35 to -45 degrees during this period. By Monday night, wind chills could drop as low as -50 degrees, according to AccuWeather.