Less Snow Now Expected for Much of Chicago Area on Christmas Eve

A threat for heavy snow over much of the Chicago area has diminished as a storm system is expected to track farther east than originally thought, according to the National Weather Service.

The powerful storm system will affect the Great Lakes region today with a winter weather advisory in affect for Cook, Will and Kankakee counties and Lake County in Indiana through 9 p.m.

Between one to four inches of wet snow is expected for that area with areas in northwest Indiana and near the Indiana border expecting more snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, the majority of the Chicago area, including DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Lake counties, is under a hazardous weather outlook. Rain is expected to develop this morning and could turn to snow in the afternoon.

“If it does change over to snow, some accumulations are possible, mainly east of interstate 55,” according to the National Weather Service.

Less than a half-inch of snow is predicted for the Grayslake area on Wednesday. Temperatures should reach a high of 36 and wind gusts of up to 25 mph are possible overnight.

Christmas Day temps should reach a high of 40 degrees with no snow in the forecast and partly sunny skies.

The above information was updated at 7 a.m. on Dec. 24.

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POSTED AT 4 P.M. on DEC. 23: A winter weather advisory has been issued for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve for Lake, McHenry and DeKalb counties.

Wet snow is expected to begin to fall during the late-morning hours for communities in the advisory area and should taper off in the early evening. Between two to five inches of total accumulation is expected.

In addition, wind gusts between 15 to 20 mph are expected with wind gusts up to 30 mph possible.

Untreated roads will become snow- or slush-covered and visibility could be reduced during the storm, which could make travel difficult.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Kane, DuPage, Will, Cook, Kendall, Grundy and Kankakee counties and Lake County in Indiana. A heavier band of snow is expected to fall over the watch area on Christmas Eve.

Between three to seven inches of total snow is expected with higher amounts possible in areas hardest hit by the storm.

Between one to two inches of snow could fall per hour with more than two inches of snow expected to fall per hour in a narrow band of heavy snow expected to affect a portion of the watch area.

Travel will be difficult and nearly impossible for those traveling where the band of heavy snow hits. Visibility will vary from one mile to less than 1/4-mile.

The heavy, wet snow will also be difficult to shovel, according to the National Weather Service.

Visit the National Weather Service website for more updates.