Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for all of Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana for heavy snow accumulations and high winds leading to blowing and drifting.
Snow is expected to begin between 2-4 pm near Rockford; 3-6 pm in the Greater Chicago area; and 7-9 pm in Northwest Indiana.
Snowfall will be moderate to heavy at times resulting in snow covered roads and significantly reduced visibilities. Strengthening winds throughout the evening with gusts up to 30-35 mph will result in blowing and drifting snow and could significantly reduce visibility.
Total snow accumulations of 5-9″ are expected for much of the area, with lesser amounts of 4-7″ generally south of I-80. Lake and Cook Counties may experience the highest totals where lake effect snow is possible. Continued lake effect snow Saturday night into Sunday morning could bring an additional 2-5″ in some spots near Lake Michigan.
As a result of these conditions, The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning effective from 3 pm Friday – 12 Saturday Noon for Northern sections of the area including Cook and Du Page counties, and from 7 pm – 12 Noon for Southern sections including Will County and points south.