Up to a foot of snow could fall as travelers return home
Up to a foot of snow could fall in some locations across the suburbs starting Sunday, forecasters predict, just as travelers return home from the long Thanksgiving weekend.
The National Weather Service Saturday afternoon issued an updated winter storm warning for much of the Chicago area calling for heavy snow with total accumulations of 4 to 10 inches, and up to 12 inches in some areas. In Lake County, at least 7 inches of snow is predicted, officials said.
Snow is expected to be especially heavy north and west, with the lowest accumulation expected south and in downtown Chicago, according to the weather service.
The forecasters said travelers may encounter a quick transition from rain to very heavy wet slushy snow Sunday afternoon, and visibility on roadways is expected to worsen with predicted snowfall rates of more than 1 inch per hour. Blowing snow is possible, especially at night, they added.
The winter storm warning - in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday - covers Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy and Will counties. A separate winter storm warning that includes Kane and McHenry counties and areas west is from 6 a.m. Sunday to midnight Sunday night.