Chicago, Illinois – Residents across northern Illinois could see renewed winter travel disruptions as a late-January pattern increases the likelihood of accumulating snow across the region, including the Chicago metro area.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, northern Illinois is included in a slight risk for heavy snow from Saturday through the following Friday, signaling a higher chance for one or more organized winter systems affecting the Midwest. The risk is elevated near Lake Michigan, where colder air can enhance snowfall rates.
In the Chicago area, temperatures trending below normal favor snow as the primary precipitation type. That could lead to slick conditions along Interstates 90, 94, 290, and 55, as well as delays on commuter rail and major arterial roads during heavier snowfall periods.
Farther west, including Rockford and the I-39 corridor, snow may arrive in multiple rounds, increasing the potential for cumulative impacts on local highways and rural roads. Communities such as DeKalb and areas across northern Kane and McHenry counties could also see steady accumulation if systems track across northern Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Transportation urges drivers to monitor road conditions closely, allow extra travel time, and keep vehicles equipped with winter emergency supplies. With colder air expected to persist, any snow that falls may linger between systems.
More detailed timing and possible winter weather advisories are expected as the late-January window approaches, with clearer impacts becoming available by early next week.
