Chicago Weather: Winter Storm to Hit Evening Commute; 8 Inches of Snow Possible

The snow will be back again this weekend and is expected to start Friday afternoon and continue into Sunday morning.

The winter storm could impact this evening’s commute as snow should develop across the area this afternoon and become moderate to heavy at times across far northeast Illinois later this afternoon and into the early evening hours. Snowfall rates of one inch per hour or more is expected this afternoon and evening.

“Snow-covered roads and reduced visibilities will result in treacherous conditions and longer commute times,” according to weather officials. A winter weather advisory has been issued for all of northern Illinois, which will take effect starting at noon today and will continue through 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Snowfall amounts between 3 to 5 inches is possible this afternoon and evening. The snow is expected to diminish late this evening with a light wintry mix possible overnight and into Saturday morning, which could include sleet, snow and freezing drizzle.

The precipitation will change to all snow Saturday afternoon with an additional one to three inches of snow possible by Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service. Strong northwest winds will cause blowing and drifting snow Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, a winter storm warning has been issued for southern Wisconsin starting this afternoon and continuing through 9 p.m. on Saturday. Between 7 to 11 inches of snow is expected.

The winter storm comes the weekend before Christmas -- a time when many people will be traveling.

Widespread travel delays, delayed or canceled flights and other winter weather hazards are possible across a 1,200-mile swath from the Rockies to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest this weekend as millions of Americans plan for holiday travel.

• READ MORE: Airport Delays, Travel Hazards Expected with Major Winter Storm Along 1200 Mile Swath

In addition, much colder air will spread across the region Sunday with wind chill readings as low as 30 degrees below zero.

Here is more detailed look at the forecast for the coming days:

• Friday: Slight chance of light snow in the morning...then snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation 1 to 2 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.
• Tonight: Snow. Snow may be heavy at times in the evening. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the evening becoming south and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.
• Saturday: Cloudy. Light freezing rain...snow and light sleet likely in the morning...then snow and light sleet likely in the afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation up to 1 inch. Ice accumulation up to one tenth of an inch. Highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
• Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Snow in the evening. Blowing and drifting snow. Some snow accumulation possible. Blustery. Turning sharply colder. Lows 2 to 6 below in the suburbs...but 2 below to 2 above zero downtown. Lowest wind chill readings 10 below to 20 below zero after midnight. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. Patchy blowing and drifting snow in the morning. Bitterly cold. Highs 3 below to 1 above zero inland... But only 1 to 5 above near the lake. Wind chills as low as 20 below to 30 below zero. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning.
• Sunday Night: Clear. Lows 14 to 18 below in the suburbs...but 8 to 12 below downtown. Then temperatures becoming steady or slowly rising.
• Monday: Sunny. Highs 12 to 16.
• Monday Night: Clear. Lows 9 to 13 above.

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