Thur-Fri, Jan. 31-Feb. 1st Snow Event Update #4

(12:30PM - 1/31/19) ​Just about everything looks to be on track with our quick hitting accumulating snow system that will be pushing through the northern half of the state later this afternoon and through the evening hours, before departing to the east near and after midnight. Area National Weather Service Offices have issued Winter Weather Advisories for portions of the state for the threat of a couple to several inches of snow coinciding with rush hour this afternoon and evening. 

More information on those advisories can be found by clicking the link below:

https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lot&wwa=winter%20weather%20advisory

Taking a look at current radar to the west, snow is slowly developing and organizing across portions of Minnesota and Iowa early this afternoon. Extrapolating radar and looking at the latest high resolution model guidance would suggest that snow will continue eastward into portions of western and northwest Illinois over the next few hours, with already a few places including Galesburg, IL, reporting light snow. ​

Snow will continue east and a bit southeast later today and through the evening hours as the brunt of the snow portions through all of northern Illinois and portions of central Illinois. Should could fall at a moderate clip over a large area and potentially big snow flakes as well as the thermal profile of the atmosphere looks quite favorable for bigger type snow flakes and ones that stack up quicker. ​

We can also see snow moving in and through the region by looking at this visibility product below. The lower the visibility in this case, the harder it is snowing. There will be some periods south of I-80 where it is snowing rather heavily for a time as visibility could get down to or below a half mile. ​

As mentioned yesterday, temperatures will remain very cold during the heart of this snow event, most likely in the mid to upper single digits for most and possibly into the low teens further south. This will mean that snow will quickly stick and accumulate on area roadways as salt will likely have little no effect. ​

Further south, a period of mixed precip is likely across Southern Illinois tonight into Friday morning.

​Below is our latest thinking on snowfall totals across Illinois from this system. This isn't going to be a big winter storm by any means but the timing of it with the evening rush hour could lead to some major travel delays on area roadways and interstates as several inches, if not a little more is expected. The heaviest snow totals will be along and south of the I-80 corridor.   ​

MP

​Please consider becoming a Patreon as a way to say thanks and support us for what we do! ​www.patreon.com/user?u=16598980 

​To receive text alerts via our in-telligent groups text ISC to 900900