Chicagoans are bracing for a tumultuous week of winter weather as the National Weather Service in Chicago warns of significant snowfall and hazardous conditions. A 'limited snow risk' is predicted for today and tonight, followed by a cocktail of severe weather expected to disrupt the weekend.
According to the forecast, today's skies will remain cloudy, with temperatures dropping to brisk 30 degrees by the afternoon. But it's the night that will bring the main act, that of snow, possibly an inch of it as south winds gust up to 20 mph. The snow risk, which is aimed for areas, north of I-80 is predicted to shift into a wilder scene by endweek, when a mix of rain and heavy snowfall collides with icy winds.
The weather will intensify on Friday, stirred by an 'elevated non-thunderstorm wind risk' and 'significant snow and blowing snow risk', as indicated by the National Weather Service's Hazardous Weather Outlook. Civic authorities and residents are on alert, particularly due to the looming 'elevated lakeshore flood risk' that accompanies such forecasted turbulence.
"The next round of light snow arrives this evening and tonight with pockets of slippery travel," the National Weather Service warned in a briefing obtained by NBC Chicago. Meanwhile, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman reports that beyond the snow, Chicagoans should brace for the ‘coldest air of the season’ which will send temperatures plummeting to the low single digits, and wind chills could dive deeper, to reeling negatives.
Commuters are advised to plan for major delays especially on Friday, as ‘several inches’ of snow are likely to pile on. After the storm passes, the temperatures will take a nosedive, ushering in what promises to be a chilling conclusion to the week accompanied by, the risk of ice jams and consequent flooding on area rivers, according to the National Weather Service.
