Heavy Snow Forecast Prompts Winter Weather Advisory in Chicago

Parts of the Chicago area have received a winter weather advisory as a system threatens to introduce bursts of potentially heavy, accumulating snow this weekend.

Winter Weather Advisory

For McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, and Kane counties, the advisory is in effect starting at 4 AM on Saturday and lasting until 1 PM.

For McHenry and Lake counties, the advisory predicts snowfall totals of four to seven inches, with even higher amounts possible in some places.

Totals are anticipated to range from two to five inches in DeKalb and Kane.

Untreated roads could become covered in slushy snow at one to 1.5 inches per hour as the snow rate peaks.

This will occur particularly during the night and into the early morning hours.

The situation will probably result in hazardous travel conditions.

Outside of these areas, there will probably be little to no accumulation at all.

Alicia Roman, a meteorologist with the NBC 5 Storm Team, said that one to three inches of snow are possible along Interstate 88, but areas to the south and southeast could see a "slushy coating" of snow on their roads.

Snow is anticipated to start falling late on Friday night and continue into Saturday morning.

Snow, then Cold Weather

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service said in a tweet Friday morning that extreme northern Illinois could see accumulations of several inches of snow.

Everyone was urged to use caution if they encountered snow on the roads tonight or tomorrow by the service.

The snow is anticipated to stop by late afternoon, but Saturday's cooler temperatures won't last long.

Before dropping back into the 40s on Sunday and rising into the 50s as the work week starts, highs on Saturday are likely to be in the upper 30s.

Additionally, the yearly Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K race will get underway on Sunday.

Fortunately for runners, the slightly higher temperatures will be accompanied by mainly sunny skies, Roman said via NBC 5 Chicago.

Also Read: Air Quality Suffers in China as Air Pollution Sweeps Beijing with Sandstorm

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central and northeast Illinois, as well as northwest Indiana.

According to the National Weather Service, today and tonight mark Day One of the week-long outlook, where weather hazards are expected.

As per the weather alert, an elevated snow risk is expected late tonight.

For areas mostly near and north of I-88, rain starting this evening will change to wet snow late tonight into tomorrow morning.

North of I-88, particularly close to the Wisconsin state line, a few inches of wet snow cover is predicted.

By Saturday, Day Two, there will be a limited non-thunderstorm wind risk as the elevated snow risk continues.

Health Forecast for Chicago Today

The weather is not triggering much of the allergens today, as most are of low levels, except for one.

Allergen dust and dander are at moderate levels today.

Affected individuals in Chicago are advised to be mindful of their needs.

When it comes to health, AccuWeather data shows that arthritis and sinus pressure triggers are at moderate levels while common cold, migraine, flu, and asthma triggers are at low levels.