The National Weather Service is forecasting Chicago could get eight to 12 inches of snow from a winter storm expected to begin late Monday afternoon and continue through Tuesday night.
A winter storm watch remains in effect through late Tuesday night, predicting several inches of snow with heavy and drifting snow as well as sleet and ice accumulations, according to the National Weather Service.
But later Monday morning, there is a possibility the watch may be upgraded to a winter storm warning as 8 to 12 inches of snow are possible, according to Gino Izzi, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
“The storm is going to be a little bit of an unusual snow storm because of the long duration that’s expected,” Izzi said.
The worst weather is forecast for late Tuesday when there is expected to be a period of six hours when Chicago will experience northeasterly winds, which are favorable to lake effect snow, Izzi said.
The expected heavy snow fall is based on models that show two storms above the northern plains which are about to merge and are “on the perfect track” to hit Chicago, according to Izzi.
Izzi said this storm is not connected to the recent blizzard that pummeled the northeast.
“Vicious” winds of up to 40 miles-per-hour Tuesday night into Wednesday morning could result in “blizzard-like conditions” for the Chicago area, Izzi said.
The heaviest snow fall is expected near Lake Michigan in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties in Illinois and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, according to Izzi.
Chicago’s western suburbs are forecast to receive “slightly less snow fall than the city,” anywhere from six to 10 inches, he said.
The National Weather Service is advising to allow for extra travel time and, if possible, to avoid travel all-together Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Highs of 29 degrees on Monday and 27 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast by the National Weather Service.
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