The Chicago area will escape the brunt of a strong winter storm that has already shut down Interstate 35 in Iowa and will dump nearly a foot of snow there. Only minor accumulations are expected in our region tonight, as the eastern edge of this system spreads into Northern Illinois.
Light snow is forecast to increase in coverage this afternoon, starting around 4 pm in Rockford and between 5-7 pm in the Chicago metro. Snow winds down in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, with occasional flurries lingering through Noon.
Accumulations here will total only around 1″, with the possibility of some isolated 2″ accumulations in lake-effect areas, while the bulk of the heavy snow with this storm system will remain well to our west and south, affecting Iowa, the St Louis area and Southern Illinois.
Another chance for some light snow showers with minor accumulations is in the forecast for Sunday evening, while the workweek that follows looks to be fairly dry at this time.