Thur, Feb 4th Snow & High Wind Event Update #2

(11:45AM - 2/3/21) A storm system is expected to move through the region on Thursday, bringing accumulating snow to the northern half of the state and high winds to much of the state.

Summary...
A storm system will eject out into the Plains tonight, then moving northeastward through the Midwest and Great Lakes on Thursday, as it further organizes and strengthens. Model guidance had been in disagreement regarding this storm system for the past few days. However, with time a consensus has formed on a more southerly solution, with overall good agreement all around regarding the event. With this forecast with have brought snowfall accumulations further south, given the aforementioned southern scenario becoming more likely.

Forecast...
Northern Illinois: 
An area of precipitation will spread across Northern Illinois, Thursday morning through Thursday evening. Precipitation will briefly start as rain or a mix, before quickly changing over to snow...With snow being the main focus for most of the event. In addition to the snow, windy conditions are expected Thursday morning through Friday morning. The windy conditions, combined with the snow, will lead to blowing and drifting snow...Potentially near blizzard conditions at times.

Central Illinois...
An area of precipitation will spread across Central Illinois, Thursday morning through Thursday evening. After starting as a period of rain, colder air will wrap in, along rain to gradually change to snow during the late morning into mid afternoon. Additionally, windy conditions are expected Thursday morning through Thursday night. 

Southern Illinois...
An area of rain will spread across Southern Illinois, from early Thursday morning through Thursday night. It is possible that rain ends as a few snow showers Thursday evening, across portions of Southern Illinois. In addition to the rain, windy conditions are expected Thursday morning through early Thursday night.

What's expected...
Snowfall totals of 2-5" are expected along/north of I-80, with amounts tapering to the south across Central Illinois. In addition to the snow, high winds are expected across much of the state, Thursday morning through Friday morning. Wind gusts of 30-45MPH are expected during this time. Across Northern Illinois, the combination of snow and high winds could lead to near blizzard conditions at time.

​Below is the snow forecast for this event.

JP