A widespread, long-duration snowstorm is set to add several inches to this season`s lackluster snow totals — currently running less than half of what would accumulate so far in an average season — bringing with it wet and heavy blowing snow, high winds, and freezing rain in southern areas.
Snow will spread into the area from the south this afternoon. Generally, areas along and south of I-80 will see snow begin between 1-3 pm, while Chicago and areas along and north of I-88 will start seeing flakes fly between 3-5 pm.
Snow, which will be wet and heavy, will continue throughout the evening and overnight hours, with the heaviest snow falling between 6 pm and midnight tonight, before transitioning to a lighter and dryer snow after midnight and continuing through midday Tuesday.
Far southern sections, including Joliet and Kankakee, will likely see some mixed precipitation at times. Areas south of Kankakee can expect primarily freezing rain for most of the storm`s duration, lowering snow totals the further south you travel.
A swath of 4-8″ is expected along and north of the I-88 corridor, with amounts tapering off southward. Southern suburbs and Northwest Indiana are forecast for 3-6″. Kankakee and areas south could see ice accumulations of 0.1-0.2″.
Additionally, winds are expected to increase, with gusts up to 35-40 mph at times, leading to blowing snow, especially on Tuesday, when the snow will be of the lighter variety.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning ahead of the storm, going into effect at 4 pm Monday and ending at 5 pm Tuesday, primarily for travel concerns like reduced visibility and blowing snow resulting from high winds.
The storm finally exits the area Tuesday evening, but there is a possibility of additional lake effect snow for areas nearest Lake Michigan through Wednesday morning.
As with every storm, Arctic will continually monitor the situation and respond accordingly to stay on top of any changing conditions throughout the entire duration of the storm.