Chicago, IL – Snow chances are expected to increase across much of the Midwest from Wednesday into early Friday, as a tightly packed weather system sets up a sharp temperature divide from Iowa to Ohio, according to model guidance.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will warm into the upper 30s and 40s Tuesday and Wednesday, but forecasters say the warming may be brief and highly localized. Weather models suggest a very tight temperature gradient, where locations only 50 to 100 miles apart could see temperature differences of 25 to 30 degrees.
For example, parts of northern Illinois near Rockford could remain near freezing, while areas farther south — such as Bloomington — may rise well into the 70s. This sharp contrast is expected to place the rain-to-snow line very close together, making small forecast shifts impactful.
Meteorologists say a warm air trough is forecast to cut directly across the central Midwest, while colder air becomes locked in near the Great Lakes. As that cold air pools, it may form a cold dome over the region, helping feed colder air into a developing midweek system and increasing the potential for snow.
Snow chances rise Wednesday night into Thursday, with probabilities ranging from 20% to 50% across Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Farther east, including western Pennsylvania, light snow or flurries may develop late Thursday into early Friday.
At this time, widespread heavy snow is not expected, but forecasters warn that minor accumulations and slick travel conditions are possible, especially overnight and during early morning commutes where temperatures fall into the 20s and low 30s.
Drivers should remain alert, as small shifts in temperature could dramatically change impacts from rain to snow within short distances.
