*Short Term Update #2* Fri-Sun, Jan. 18-20th Winter Storm Update #12

​(3:15AM - 1/19/19) Short term update/forecast... A winter storm continues to impact portions of the state tonight.

A large area of of snow has been spreading across Northern and portions of Central Illinois overnight. At this time an area of more moderate to heavy snow exists across the Chicago area down into portions of Central Illinois. This main activity will continue for a couple more hours, before becoming lighter with time, and ending from west to east Saturday morning. 2-5" of snow has occurred so far across the Quad Cities area and near/north of I-88 in Northern Illinois, with a dusting to 2" south of there and across Central Illinois. As the snow continues overnight and into Saturday morning, a few to several more inches are likely, depending on your location. Snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour will be likely at times. There is the outside chance of thundersnow as well across the Chicago area down into Eastern Illinois in the near term, as convective snows move through with soundings showing a non-zero chance.

JP