Chicago, IL – A dynamic midweek weather system will impact much of the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri, beginning Tuesday and continuing through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The pattern starts with a notable warm-up on Tuesday, as southerly winds ahead of a developing storm system push temperatures well above mid-January averages. Afternoon highs will climb into the 40s and 50s for many locations, with some southern areas briefly approaching the 60s. This warmth may give a short-lived springlike feel across the region.
Conditions begin to change by Wednesday as a strengthening low-pressure system moves east across the central United States. Widespread rain is expected initially, especially across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Farther north and west—particularly across Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Michigan, and northern Iowa—colder air will begin to filter in, allowing rain to transition to snow or a rain-snow mix.
By Wednesday night into Thursday, colder air deepens behind the system. Snow showers may linger across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, while gusty northwest winds usher in a return to more seasonable, and in some cases colder-than-normal, temperatures. Wind chills may fall sharply, especially in areas that received snow.
While widespread heavy snow is not currently expected, rapid changes in temperature and precipitation type could create hazardous travel conditions, particularly during the Wednesday commute period. Motorists are urged to stay weather-aware and check local forecasts frequently as this fast-moving system evolves.
