Winter Storm Watch
… WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 12:00 PM TO 12:00 AM SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING …
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Winter Storm Watch, which is in effect from noon to midnight Saturday afternoon and evening.
Snow, possibly mixing with sleet is expected to develop across northern Illinois by late Saturday morning. As warmer air aloft moves north, the precipitation will transition to freezing rain later Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. Ice accumulations of 1/4″ with locally higher amounts are possible by Saturday night. In addition to ice, areas across far northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border may receive 2-4″ of snow. All precipitation is expected to change over to light rain or drizzle by early Sunday morning.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Anyone with travel plans Saturday and Saturday night, including travel through Chicago O’hare and Chicago Midway airports, should continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
… DISCUSSION …
A significant winter storm is expected to affect northern Illinois. High pressure will move across the region Friday night, bringing a surge of cold air to the Great Lakes region. Developing low pressure over the Plains will move northeast across the western Great Lakes Saturday night. As precipitation develops Saturday, it will fall into the colder air at the surface, resulting in a period of freezing rain. A warm front will lift north early Sunday morning, changing the wintry precipitation to all rain.
A forecast specific to Lake County will be posted here tomorrow, along with maps of precipitation amounts. Stay tuned for further developments.
