Accumulating Snow This Weekend - A First Look

Even though it IS winter, we haven't had to mention this in awhile, but the potential for accumulating snow this weekend is beginning to increase. Models are in fairly good agreement at this range that low pressure will track south of Illinois. Enough cold air will be in place to bring a wide swath of snow to the state. Lets take a brief look.

Precip - starting out as all snow - will begin late Friday night, across southern and Central Illinois first. Intensity should ramp up early Saturday morning, with the heaviest snows targeting these regions. Right now - given the current storm track - northern Illinois looks to only receive very light snow, if any at all.

Here is a look at modeled precipitation type showing all snow across much of the state. 

Snow should fall much of the day Saturday. The rain/snow line will be precariously close to southern Illinois so we'll have to watch for any chance at a changeover to rain, especially if the system tracks further north. 

The system - as modeled now - looks to depart the area early Sunday morning, bringing the precipitation with it. We'll have to stay on top of recent data for any timing changes. 

Here is the GFS's take on potential accumulations. Not the heaviest snow we've dealt with, but after the recent mild, rainy weather, the impacts could be greater than they normally would since we all sometimes tend to forget what to do when it snows after it hasn't happened for awhile. THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL FORECAST AND WILL CHANGE but it does illustrate nicely where we currently anticipate the heavier amounts to fall. 

Check back for the latest on this incoming snow!

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