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Chicago Area Winter Weather Advisory: Snow and Cold Blast

5 months agoUS
Chicago Area Winter Weather Advisory: Snow and Cold BlastSource: fox32chicago.com
A winter weather advisory has been issued for several counties in the Chicago area, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions. Following the snow, an arctic blast is expected to bring dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills.

Key Insights

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, and northern and central Cook Counties in Illinois, as well as Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties in Wisconsin, and Berrien County, Michigan.

Snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are possible, with the highest totals near the Wisconsin-Illinois state line.

Commuters should expect impacts to the Wednesday morning commute, especially near and north of I-80.

An arctic blast will bring dangerously cold temperatures later in the week, with wind chills potentially as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warming centers are open throughout the city to provide refuge from the cold.

In-Depth Analysis

The Chicago area is bracing for a double whammy of winter weather: snow followed by extreme cold. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for a large portion of the region, including McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, and northern and central Cook counties. This advisory means that residents can expect snow accumulations ranging from 2 to 5 inches, with the highest totals expected near the Wisconsin state line. For those in the north suburbs, over 4 inches of snow are possible.

The snow is expected to impact the Wednesday morning commute, particularly for those traveling near and north of I-80. Slippery conditions and poor visibility are likely, so commuters should allow extra time and exercise caution. The snow should taper off shortly after daybreak, but scattered snow showers are possible later in the day as another reinforcing shot of cold air arrives.

However, the snow is only the beginning. An arctic blast is set to descend upon the Chicago area later in the week, bringing dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills. Friday morning, wind chills could be as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures on Friday may not even reach zero. This extreme cold will persist throughout the weekend, with temperatures remaining in the single digits on Saturday.

To combat the cold, the city has activated its emergency warming centers. These centers include community service centers, senior centers, public library locations, park district locations, city colleges, and police districts. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these resources if they need a place to warm up.

FAQs

Q: Which counties are under the Winter Weather Advisory?

McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, and northern and central Cook Counties in Illinois; Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties in Wisconsin; and Berrien County, Michigan.

Q: How much snow is expected?

2 to 5 inches, with the highest totals near the Wisconsin-Illinois state line.

Q: When will the arctic blast arrive?

Thursday night into Friday morning.

Key Takeaways

Be prepared for hazardous travel conditions on Wednesday morning due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibility.

Take extra precautions to protect yourself from the extreme cold arriving later in the week. Dress in layers, limit your time outdoors, and check on vulnerable friends and neighbors.

Know the locations of warming centers in your area and utilize them if needed.

Discussion

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