Chicago, IL – Snowflakes are set to blanket northern Illinois tonight as a winter system moves across the region, bringing 3 to 5 inches of accumulation north of Interstate 80 and a mix of snow and freezing drizzle farther south.
The National Weather Service in Chicago reports that snow will begin late this evening, spreading west to east, and continue into Sunday morning. Lake and McHenry Counties, along with the Rockford and Elgin areas, will likely see the heaviest snow totals — enough to cause hazardous travel and limited visibility during the early-morning commute.
South of I-80, from Joliet to Kankakee, a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain could create patchy slick spots overnight. Forecasters urge drivers to slow down and allow extra distance on bridges and overpasses, where ice tends to form first.
By dawn Sunday, snow is expected to taper from west to east, though scattered flurries may persist through midmorning. Temperatures will stay below freezing, preventing quick melting and potentially causing refreezing on untreated surfaces.
