Lake Effect Snow to Impact Chicagoland This Weekend

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A blast of cold air is set to bring lake effect snow to parts of Chicagoland starting late Thursday night and continuing through Saturday. Accumulations will depend on how long the dominant snow bands linger over specific areas, but the region is bracing for significant impacts from the wintry weather.

Why it matters

Lake effect snow can create hazardous travel conditions and lead to power outages, school closures, and other disruptions for residents in the affected areas. This weather pattern is typical for the Chicago region in the winter, but the intensity and duration of the lake effect snow event could test the area's preparedness.

The details

Temperatures will plummet to near zero degrees overnight with wind chills as low as -15 F. On Thursday, highs will only reach the mid-teens despite sunny skies. The lake effect snow is expected to ramp up late Thursday night or early Friday morning, with the heaviest bands impacting northeast Illinois during the day on Friday before shifting east into northwest Indiana Friday evening and overnight. Accumulations are still uncertain but could be significant in the hardest hit areas. The lake effect snow will continue through Saturday, with highs only reaching the lower 20s.

• Overnight Thursday into Friday: Lake effect snow ramps up, lasting through Saturday
• Friday daytime: Heaviest lake effect snow impacts northeast Illinois
• Friday evening and overnight: Lake effect bands shift east into northwest Indiana

What’s next

Weather forecasters will continue to monitor the progression of the lake effect snow event and provide updated predictions on accumulations and impacts as the weekend approaches.