Chicago, IL – The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana as intense lake effect snow is expected to develop late Sunday night into Monday morning. Meteorologists warn that travel could quickly become dangerous or even impossible in some areas by dawn.
According to the US National Weather Service Chicago, snow bands will form between 9 p.m. and midnight along the Lake Michigan shoreline and spread inland overnight. The heaviest snow will target Cook (IL), Lake (IN), Porter (IN), and Kankakee (IL) counties, with localized snowfall rates exceeding 3 inches per hour possible.
The first burst of snow will push as far west as I-39 and south to IL-9, followed by additional snow bands refocusing near I-55 and I-57 Monday morning before shifting into northwestern Indiana. Forecasters warn that travel during the Monday morning commute may be treacherous, with sharply reduced visibility and rapidly accumulating snow on roads.
Lake effect snow is expected to taper by late Monday afternoon, but bitter cold and wind chills near 15–20°F will persist into Tuesday. Drivers are urged to avoid travel in the heaviest snow zones and check weather.gov/chicago for the latest updates.
