Say It Ain't Snow: Snow Storm Could Bring Several Inches To IL

ILLINOIS — Even though it's the end of April (and well into spring), the Chicago area is facing a snowstorm this weekend. According to the National Weather Service, a significant snow storm system will move across the area on Saturday and Saturday night. Several inches of heavy, wet snow could fall, especially in northern Illinois close to the Wisconsin state line.

The NWS has issued a winter storm watch for McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage and Cook counties from Saturday afternoon until late Saturday night. There will be an intense, but narrow band os snow which could drop between 4 and 8 inches of snow. The location of this band of snow is not yet known, but the potential exists for locations within the watch area.

The NWS said if there is heavy snow, the strong northerly winds with gusts as high as 35 mph could reduce visibility and cause minor tree damage and power outages. The strong winds and large waves will also elevate already-high lake levels, which could cause some lakeshore flooding.

There is a sharp snowfall gradient expected, so towns can expect to see varying totals. The NWS said rates of 1 to 2 inches of snow per hour are possible.

After the snow on Saturday, it will be sunny and dry on Sunday. The high will be near 52 degrees and there is a chance of rain late Sunday night, the NWS said.

Here is a more detailed look at the weather this weekend:

• FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
• SATURDAY: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 46. East wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• SATURDAY NIGHT: Rain, mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Low around 34. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• SUNDAY: Sunny, with a high near 52. East northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• SUNDAY NIGHT: A 50 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.