Feb 5th-6th Widespread Snow Accumulations Expected With Incoming Snowstorm

We are continuing to watch model guidance with a close eye and also fine tuning our forecast with a new expected snowfall totals map below. Let's dig into the latest and what to expect out of this snowstorm as it moves through the Midwest, bringing accumulating snow to a large portion of Illinois. 

Our main trough afternoon is still located out west near the Rockies and across the Four Corners region with the two main waves circled in blue. One is across northern Colorado and will slowly drift east across the northern plains and the other is across the Baja region of Mexico and is rounding the base of the trough currently, eventually ejecting out into the southern plains and inducing low pressure development across south Texas. That will be the main feature to watch even though the wave across the central plains is aiding in dictating how far north the southern (main system) can get tomorrow and into Thursday. 

Below is an animation to show the evolution of how this storm system plays out across the Midwest and here in Illinois, with the loop beginning late tonight and running through late Thursday evening. Widespread precipitation, including snow will overspread portions of the state by early tomorrow afternoon and continue streaking east and northeast throughout the better part of the day tomorrow and through the evening hours. Model guidance is still struggling with how far north snow will make it tomorrow night which is making this forecast a bit tricky with forecast amounts on the northern end across portions of northern Illinois near and north of the I-80 corridor still somewhat uncertain as you'll see below. Snow will continue into and through much of the day on Thursday as well across portions of the state where additional accumulations will occur.  

Below is our latest thinking on expected snowfall amounts with this snowstorm. Stay tuned for continued updates though as this map is subject to change between now and tomorrow afternoon. 

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MP