(10:00PM - 1/26/21) A storm system will move through the region on Wednesday, bringing a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to Central and Southern Illinois.

​Summary...
A storm system will move through the region on Wednesday, bringing a a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to Central and Southern Illinois. Model guidance has been and continues to be in good agreement regarding this event. With this update we have increased expected snowfall totals a bit over portions of Central and Southern Illinois, as confidence has grown in the outcome.

​Forecast...
​Areas of snow are expected to spread across Central and Southern Illinois, Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. This storm system will be moisture starved, which will keep this a minor event.

​What's Expected...
Final snowfall totals upwards of 1-3" are expected across a large portion of Central and Southern Illinois, tapering to a dusting to 1"  across Central Illinois.

​Below is the snowfall forecast for this event.

JP

(11:45AM - 1/26/21) A storm system will move through the region on Wednesday, bringing a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to Central and Southern Illinois.

​Summary...
A storm system will move through the region on Wednesday, bringing a a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to Central and Southern Illinois. Model guidance has been and continues to be in good agreement regarding this event.

​Forecast...
​Areas of snow and snow showers are expected to spread across Central and Southern Illinois, Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. This storm system will be moisture starved, which will keep this a minor event.

​What's Expected...
Final snowfall totals upwards of a dusting to 1" or so are expected across much of Central and Southern Illinois. Isolated higher amounts will be possible.

​Below is the snowfall forecast for this event.

JP

(11:45AM - 1/25/20) A winter storm is impacting the state and region, today through Tuesday. This winter storm is expected to bring accumulating snow, sleet and ice to portions of the state.

Summary...
A winter storm is impacting the state and region today through Tuesday, and is expected to bring accumulating snow, ice and sleet to portions of the state. The storm system ejected out into the Plains last night, and is expected to push eastward into the Great Lakes through Tuesday...as it slowly shears out and weakens, encountering blocking to the northeast. Model guidance has had a tough time getting a handle on this event, even as it has been ongoing to our west across the Plains today. A drying trend on model guidance was noted over the past 24-36 hours, which lead to us cutting snowfall total a bit across Northern Illinois. However, several inches of snowfall accumulation is still expected.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
Snow is expected to spread across Northern Illinois mid to late afternoon today. Snow of varying intensity will then continue through Tuesday afternoon, except in Northeast Illinois where periods of lake effect snow will continue into Wednesday. The most significant period of snow will be from late this afternoon through early Tuesday morning. During this time periods of moderate to even heavy snow will be possible, with snowfall rates in excess of 1" an hour possible at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts of 30-40MPH will be possible, this afternoon through Tuesday morning. The combination of the snow and wind will lead to very low visibility and blowing/drifting snow at times, especially out towards the Quad Cities and the IL/IA border area and in Northeast Illinois near Lake Michigan.

As hinted at in the above paragraph, lake effect snow was mentioned for Northeast Illinois. It is likely that that lake enhanced snow will be seen during the storm, from this afternoon through Tuesday afternoon...After which time periods of pure lake effect will be possible from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

Central Illinois...
An initial area of precipitation spread across Central Illinois this morning, then continuing, in the for of a mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain. This area of mix will exit Central Illinois by early afternoon, leading to a period of generally dry conditions during the afternoon int he dry slot of the storm system. Precipitation will start to develop and spread back into Central Illinois during the mid to late afternoon today, then continuing in periods through Tuesday morning. South of I-72 will generally see rain for the duration of the event, though a mix is possible at times. Near/along and north of I-72 will see a mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain/rain, though freezing rain is expected to dominate in a corridor across Central Illinois.

Southern Illinois...
Rain spread into Southern Illinois last night and has been heavy at times, with scattered t'storms occurring as well. The most organized and widespread rains will continue through this afternoon, before ending. Afterwards, periods of scattered showers will then be possible from this afternoon through Tuesday morning. Rainfall totals in excess of 1.00" are expected across far Southern Illinois.

What's expected...
A swath of heavy snowfall totals of 5-9" is expected across Northern Illinois, with isolated higher amounts possible. There will be a sharp gradient where snowfall totals rapidly taper across across Western Illinois and along I-80 in Northern Illinois. Ice accumulation upwards of a glaze to 0.15" is expected in an axis across Central Illinois.

​Below are the snow and ice forecasts for this event.

JP

(10:00PM - 1/24/20) A winter storm is expected to impact the state and region, Monday and Tuesday. This winter storm is expected to bring accumulating snow, sleet and ice to portions of the state.

Summary...
A winter storm is expected to impact the state and region on Monday and Tuesday, and is expected to bring accumulating snow, ice and sleet to portions of the state. The storm system will eject out into the Plains tonight and Monday, then moving eastward and eventually into the Great Lakes on Tuesday as it slowly shears out and weakens...as it encounters blocking to the northeast. Model guidance continues to attempt to hone in on a general outcome for this event, though some disagreement and changes continue to exist t this time. The track of the storm system and general location of the snowfall/ice corridors finally appears to be in place. However, as was mentioned in our update earlier today, there has been a drying trend in model guidance over the past 24 hours. We first reflected this in our midday update today by trending down expected snowfall totals a bit, and have done so again with this update as the drying trend in model guidance has continued.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
Snow is expected to spread across Northern Illinois Monday afternoon and evening. Snow of varying intensity will then continue through Tuesday afternoon, except in Northeast Illinois where periods of lake effect snow will continue into Wednesday. The most significant period of snow will be from late Monday afternoon or evening through early Tuesday morning. During this time periods of moderate to even heavy snow will be possible, with snowfall rates in excess of 1" an hour possible at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts of 30-40MPH will be possible, Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. The combination of the snow and wind will lead to very low visibility and blowing/drifting snow at times, especially out towards the Quad Cities and the IL/IA border area.

As hinted at in the above paragraph, lake effect snow was mentioned for Northeast Illinois. It is likely that that lake enhanced snow will be seen during the storm, from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon...After which time periods of pure lake effect will be possible from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.

Central Illinois...
Precipitation will spread across Central Illinois Monday morning, then continuing in periods through Tuesday morning. South of I-72 will generally see rain for the duration of the storm, though a mix is possible at times. Along and north of I-72 will see a mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain/rain, though freezing rain is expected to dominate in a corridor across Central Illinois.

Southern Illinois...
Rain will spread into Southern Illinois later tonight, and will then continue in periods through Monday night. Isolated t'storms will be possible at times. Rainfall totals in excess of 1.00" are expected across far Southern Illinois.

What's expected...
A swath of heavy snowfall totals of 5-9" is expected across Northern Illinois, with isolated higher amounts possible. There will be a sharp gradient where snowfall totals rapidly taper across across Western Illinois and along I-80 in Northern Illinois. Ice accumulation upwards of a glaze to 0.15" is expected in an axis across Central Illinois.

​Below are the snow and ice forecasts for this event.

JP

(11:45AM - 1/24/20) A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region, Monday and Tuesday. This winter storm is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state.

Summary...
A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region on Monday and Tuesday, and is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state. The storm system will eject out into the Plains tonight and Monday, then moving eastward and eventually into the Great Lakes on Tuesday as it slowly shears out and weakens...as it encounters blocking to the northeast. Model guidance has been showing the potential for this winter storm for days. There was at first significant disagreement, which has waned over time...However, there is still some disagreement that continues at this time. Additionally, there has been a slight drying trend on model guidance over the past 12 hours, which would suggest slightly lower snow/ice totals than previously expected. Because of this, we have slightly cut back on totals in some areas given this continued trend.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
Snow is expected to spread across Northern Illinois Monday afternoon. Snow of varying intensity will then continue through Tuesday evening, except in Northeast Illinois where periods of lake effect snow will continue into Tuesday night. The most significant period of snow will be from late Monday afternoon through early Tuesday morning. During this time periods of heavy snow will be possible, with high snowfall rates in excess of 1" an hour possible at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts of 30-40MPH will be possible, Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. The combination of the snow and wind will lead to near blizzard conditions at times, especially out towards the Quad Cities and the IL/IA border area.

As hinted at in the above paragraph, lake effect snow was mentioned for Northeast Illinois. It is likely that that lake enhanced snow will be seen during the storm, from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening...After which time periods of pure lake effect will be possible from Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Central Illinois...
Precipitation will spread across Central Illinois Monday morning, then continuing into Tuesday. South of I-72 will generally see rain for the duration of the storm, though a mix is possible at times. Along and north of I-72 will see a mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain/rain, though freezing rain is expected to dominate in a corridor across Central Illinois.

Southern Illinois...
Rain will spread into Southern Illinois later tonight, and will then continue in periods through Tuesday morning. Isolated t'storms will be possible at times. Rainfall totals in excess of 1.00" are expected across Southern Illinois.

​What's expected...
A swath of heavy snowfall totals of 6-12" is expected across Northern Illinois, with higher amounts possible near the IL/IA and further west. There will be a sharp gradient where snowfall totals rapidly taper across across Western Illinois and along I-80 in Northern Illinois. Ice accumulation upwards of 0.10-0.25" is expected in an axis across Central Illinois.

​Below are the snow and ice forecasts for this event.

JP

(10:00PM - 1/23/20) A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region, Monday and Tuesday. This winter storm is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state.

Summary...
A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region on Monday and Tuesday, and is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state. The storm system will eject out into the Plains Sunday night and Monday, moving northeastward, and eventually into the Great Lakes on Tuesday as it slowly shears out and weakens as it encounters blocking to the northeast. Model guidance has been showing the potential for this winter storm for days, though there was a high amount of disagreement regarding the overall potential. As time has gone on over the past day or so, model guidance has come into much better agreement, with a decent consensus forming.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
Snow is expected to spread across Northern Illinois Monday morning. Snow of varying intensity will then continue through early Tuesday night. The most significant period of snow will be from late Monday afternoon through mid Tuesday morning. During this time periods of heavy snow will be possible, with high snowfall rates in excess of 1" an hour likely at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts of 35-45MPH will be possible, Monday evening through Tuesday morning. The combination of the snow and wind will lead to near blizzard conditions at times, especially out towards the Quad Cities and IL/IA border area. In addition to the snow associated with the storm system, lake enhanced and lake effect snow will be possible across Northeast Illinois, from Monday evening through Tuesday night.

Central Illinois...
Precipitation will spread across Central Illinois later Sunday night and Monday morning. South of I-72 will generally see rain for the duration of the storm, though a mix is possible at times. Along and north of I-72 will generally see freezing rain and sleet for the duration of the storm.

Southern Illinois...
Rain will spread into Southern Illinois Sunday night, and will then continue in periods through Tuesday morning. Isolated t'storms will be possible at times. Rainfall totals in excess of 1.00" is expected across Southern Illinois.

​What's expected...
A swath of heavy snowfall totals of 6-12" is expected across Northern Illinois, with higher amounts possible near the IL/IA and further west. There will be a sharp gradient where snowfall totals rapidly taper across across Western Illinois and along I-80 in Northern Illinois. Ice accumulation upwards of 0.10-0.25" is expected in an axis across Central Illinois.

​Below are the snow and ice forecasts for this event.

JP

(9:00PM - 1/23/21) A disturbance moving through the region today into Sunday will bring a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to portions of the state.

​Summary...
A disturbance will be moving through the region, today into Sunday. This disturbance and associated warm air advection will lead to periods of snow across Northern Illinois, early tonight through early Sunday afternoon. Model guidance has been and continues to be in good agreement regarding this event, and observational trends have been supportive, thus little to no change is needed with this update.

Forecast...
​Areas of snow and snow showers across the Midwest have been pushing eastward through the day today. This activity will first enter Northwest Illinois early tonight, steadily spreading across the rest of Northern Illinois overnight tonight. This activity will then continue in periods across Northern Illinois, through mid to late Sunday morning.

​What's Expected...
Final snowfall totals upwards of a dusting to 1" or so are expected across Northern Illinois and portions of Central Illinois, with upwards of 1-3" possible across far Northern and Northwest Illinois.

​Below is the snowfall forecast for this event.

JP

(11:45AM - 1/23/20) A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region, Monday and Tuesday. This winter storm is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state.

Summary...
A major winter storm is expected to impact the state and region on Monday and Tuesday, and is expected to bring significant snowfall accumulation, as well as some ice and sleet accumulation, to portions of the state. The storm system will eject out into the Plains Sunday night and Monday, moving northeastward, and eventually into the Great Lakes on Tuesday as it slowly shears out and weakens. Model guidance has been showing the potential for this winter storm for days, though there was a high amount of disagreement regarding the overall potential. As time has gone on over the past day or so, model guidance has come into much better agreement, with a loose consensus forming.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
Snow is expected to spread across Northern Illinois Monday morning. Snow of varying intensity will then continue through early Tuesday night. The most significant period of snow will be from late Monday afternoon through mid Tuesday morning. During this time periods of heavy snow will be possible, with high snowfall rates in excess of 1" an hour likely at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts of 35-45MPH will be possible, Monday evening through Tuesday morning. The combination of the snow and wind will lead to near blizzard conditions at times, especially out towards the Quad Cities  and IL/IA border area.

Central Illinois...
Precipitation will spread across Central Illinois later Sunday night and Monday morning. South of I-72 will generally see rain for the duration of the storm, though a mix is possible at times. Along and north of I-72 will generally see freezing rain and sleet for the duration of the storm.

Southern Illinois...
Rain will spread into Southern Illinois Sunday night, and will then continue in periods through Tuesday morning. Isolated t'storms will be possible at times. Rainfall totals in excess of 1.00" is expected across Southern Illinois.

What's expected...
A swath of heavy snowfall totals of 6-12" is expected across Northern Illinois, with higher amounts possible near the IL/IA and further west. There will be a sharp gradient where snowfall totals rapidly taper across across Western Illinois and along I-80 in Northern Illinois. Ice accumulation upwards of 0.10-0.25" is expected in an axis across Central Illinois.

​Below are the snow and ice forecasts for this event.

JP

(11:00AM - 1/23/21) A disturbance will move through the region today through Sunday, bringing a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to portions of the state. ***Note: This is not to be mixed up with a separate winter storm that will affect the state, Monday morning through Tuesday morning. That is being discussed in separate updates (Click).***

​Summary...
A disturbance will move through the region today through Sunday. This disturbance and associated warm air advection will lead to periods of snow across Northern Illinois, early tonight through early Sunday afternoon. Model guidance has been and continues to be in good agreement regarding this event, thus little to no change is needed with this update.

Forecast...
​Areas of snow and snow showers developing across the Northern Plains and Midwest today will spread eastward. This activity will first enter Northwest Illinois early tonight, steadily spreading across the rest of Northern Illinois overnight tonight. This activity will then continue in periods across Northern Illinois, through midday or early afternoon on Sunday, before coming to an end.

​What's Expected...
Final snowfall totals upwards of a dusting to 1" or so are expected across Northern Illinois and portions of Central Illinois, with upwards of 1-3" possible across far Northern and Northwest Illinois.

​Below is the snowfall forecast for this event.

JP

(10:30PM - 1/22/21) A disturbance will move through the region on Saturday and Sunday, bringing a minor/nuisance accumulating snowfall to portions of the state. ***Note: This is not to be mixed up with a separate winter storm that will affect the state, Monday morning through Tuesday morning. That is being discussed in separate updates (Click).***

​Summary...
A disturbance will move through the region Saturday and Sunday. This disturbance and associated warm air advection will lead to periods of snow across Northern Illinois, Saturday evening through early Sunday afternoon. Model guidance has been and continues to be in good agreement regarding this event, thus little to no change is needed with this update.

Forecast...
​Areas of snow and snow showers will develop across the Northern Plains and Midwest on Saturday. This activity will then spread eastward, making it into Northwest Illinois Saturday evening or Saturday night, and eventually spreading across the rest of Northern Illinois overnight Saturday night. This activity will then continue in periods across Northern Illinois, through midday or early afternoon on Sunday. 

​What's Expected...
Final snowfall totals upwards of a dusting to 1" or so are expected across much of Northern Illinois, with upwards of 1-3" possible across far Northern and Northwest Illinois.

​Below is the snowfall forecast for this event.

JP