Chicago, Illinois – A fast-moving winter weather band is expected to rapidly change travel conditions across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana this morning, potentially creating slick roads and sharply reduced visibility during the commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville, a strong cold front pushing south from Wisconsin is producing gusty snow showers that will move across the region between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. CST. The most intense snow bursts are expected east of Interstate 39, where brief periods of heavier snowfall may combine with strong winds.
Northerly wind gusts are forecast to reach 35 to 40 mph, occasionally reducing visibility to below one mile during heavier snow showers. While overall snowfall amounts are expected to remain light, a coating to around one-half inch may accumulate on colder or untreated surfaces. Localized one-inch totals are possible in parts of far northwest Indiana.
Temperatures are expected to start above freezing early this morning, then fall quickly into the 20s behind the cold front. This rapid temperature drop may cause wet pavement to freeze, leading to isolated slick spots, especially on bridges, overpasses, and secondary roads.
The alert covers a wide area, including the Chicago metro area, Rockford, DeKalb, Aurora, Joliet, Kankakee, and Gary, Indiana, among many other communities.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time, reduce speeds, and increase following distance while driving this morning. Conditions may vary significantly over short distances as snow showers move through quickly.
