A major winter storm system is approaching the Chicago area, bringing multiple inches of snow and potentially disrupting travel plans. The heaviest snowfall is expected this afternoon and evening, with totals ranging from 3-6 inches.
This winter’s biggest snowstorm is on its way to ‘Chicago’ today. Fox 32 Meteorologist Mike Caplan has provided an update on what we can expect.
A winter storm is a low-pressure system that forms over cold ocean waters, bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds.
These storms are responsible for significant disruptions to daily life, including power outages, transportation shutdowns, and emergency declarations.
According to the National Weather Service, an average of 12-15 winter storms affect the United States each year, resulting in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of fatalities.
There will be some light snow in the area this morning, which could possibly accumulate up to a half inch. However, the heavier snow is still on the way, especially this afternoon and evening. The snow that fell overnight will be forgotten by 7 a.m., making way for the more significant storm.
Snowstorms are intense winter weather events characterized by heavy snowfall, strong winds, and low visibility.
They can last from a few hours to several days, causing widespread disruptions to transportation, daily life, and economic activity.
According to the National Weather Service, an average of 40 billion dollars in damages is caused annually by snowstorms in the United States alone.
The most severe snowstorms are often associated with blizzard conditions, which require sustained winds of at least 35 mph and visibility of less than 1/4 mile.
While some computer models suggest a less impactful system, the latest forecasts indicate that we can expect around 3-4 inches of ‘snow.’ However, it’s essential to note that any totals above 6 inches will be rare. The north suburban areas of Lake County, Illinois, are at a higher risk for bigger totals due to lake-enhancement.
This evening’s commute will be challenging as snow falls heavily. Snow is expected to wind down by midnight or before. Tomorrow will feature clearing skies with temperatures remaining low.
As of 9:30 a.m. today, there were slight delays at Chicago’s airports, with around 33 flight cancelations at O’Hare and 40 at Midway.
On Friday for Valentine’s Day, temperatures will rise into the upper 20s after a cold start in the single digits. However, snow returns during the afternoon and evening, which could complicate travel as people head out to dinner. Snow will continue intermittently through Saturday. The early take on accumulations suggests that we can expect similar totals to what we see today.
After Saturday’s snowfall, bitter cold temperatures arrive with highs in the teens and lows potentially below zero away from the city in many communities.
