CHICAGO – A powerful lake-effect snow event is crippling travel across northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana early Monday, with whiteout bursts dropping more than 3 inches per hour along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The heaviest snow is targeting Cook, Lake (IL), Will, and Kankakee Counties, with totals of 5 to 10 inches across metro Chicago and locally over a foot near Gary and Valparaiso, IN.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, multiple Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through Monday afternoon, with varying end times between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST depending on the county. The strongest lake bands are expected to persist through the Monday morning commute, bringing near-zero visibility, thundersnow, and gusty northerly winds over 30 mph.
Travel across Interstates 80, 90, and 94, as well as I-57 near Kankakee, has become extremely hazardous. The Illinois and Indiana Departments of Transportation report snow-covered roads and drifting across bridges and overpasses. Motorists are urged to delay travel until conditions improve, as snow intensity and visibility can vary drastically across short distances.
Forecasters expect snow rates to gradually ease from west to east by Monday evening, though strong winds will continue to cause blowing snow and spotty power outages. Residents are encouraged to check local updates and carry emergency supplies if travel is unavoidable.
