The Friday evening commute may be affected by snow, with reduced visibility and slushy accumulation.
"This may lead to slippery road conditions overnight into early Friday morning, including for the morning commute," the weather service said
The week starts with mild temps before conditions turn colder and snowier on Wednesday.
On Thursday, a record rainfall of 1.92 inches was recorded in Chicago, beating out the previous record of 1.18 inches set in 1935.
A band of damaging wind-producing showers and storms are expected Thursday evening.
The state recorded more tornadoes in 2025 than it did in 2024.
Mild temperatures are expected all week, with highs in the 50s possible almost all week.
Two tornadoes touched down on Sunday, the National Weather Service reported.
Here's what you can expect over the holiday weekend.
Here's how warm it's expected to be on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day's weather could offer a hint as to what is in store for Illinois in the new year.
Fluctuating temperatures take us through the weekend, before a warm-up next week.
A line of showers will bring the highest wind gusts around 50 mph between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday.
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Could it dampen the Chicago area's chances of a white Christmas?
Also: bitter cold is still expected this weekend, with the coldest conditions coming Saturday night.
There's already been record snowfall in parts of Illinois this year, but does that mean there will be a white Christmas?
Here's when snow is expected to start Thursday evening.
A very wintry week is in store for the Chicago area, and may impact travel.
At Chicago-O'Hare, 17.1 inches of snow has fallen so far this season.
The Aurora Borealis may be visible in parts of Illinois amid geomagnetic storms this week.
Above freezing temperatures will return early week before another blast of cold.
Multiple clipper systems will bring snow Saturday night through Sunday morning, then more snow chances all week long.
An Alberta Clipper could bring multiple periods of snow are expected starting Saturday and through lasting next week.
The cold front will move through the area on Wednesday night, with wind chills as low as 20 below zero.
Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches are expected on Monday, plus, the coldest air of the season is about to arrive.
"The Saturday afternoon period is looking like the period of peak snow rates," the weather service said.
Already on Wednesday: Rockford saw a 53 mph gust; West Chicago, Wheeling and Waukegan saw 49 mph gusts; and Chicago had a 48 mph gust.
A wind advisory has been issued for Wednesday; a blustery and cold Thanksgiving will follow, plus accumulating snow for the weekend.
Winds of up to 45 mph could also impact Thanksgiving travel.
But first, a sunny and mild weekend is in store after a gloomy week.
The warmest Thanksgiving on record was 69 degrees, while the coldest was -1 degree.
Christmas is in 36 days.
"After [Monday] morning, we may not see the sun again until late in the week or this weekend," the weather service said.
The high for Saturday is 71 degrees, but the area could see a wintry mix by Monday.
Tuesday night's widespread aurora displays were the strongest since Oct. 10, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
Experts believe as many as 21 states will have a chance to see the show Tuesday night, weather dependent.
Friday will be the warmest day of the week.
An "impactful" lake effect snow threat could bring up to 6 inches of snow to the area on Sunday into Monday.
The cold blast will ease by the middle of next week.