Chicago Weather: Tracking heavy snow, rain across area
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for much of the Chicago area.
Rain will turn to snow, which could be heavy at times. Northern areas near the Wisconsin state line could see 6 inches of snow.
Here is what to expect continuing into the Friday morning rush.
Busy morning for snow plows in northern areas
Snow plows were busy Friday morning in areas north of Chicago.
CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe said drivers should take it slow in Lake County when heading out.
Earlier Friday morning, residents woke up to snow-covered cars and wet roads. Overnight, heavy snow fell, but decreased as the morning went on.
Heavy snow accumulation in Gurnee, Libertyville
CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe got out of the Mobile Weather Lab to see the heavy snow that accumulated near Gurnee and Libertyville.
Overnight, snow was heavy and snow plows were deployed to clear roadways.
In Waukegan, snow plows worked Friday morning. Side streets needed clearing before the Friday commute.
Odigwe said while snowfall is not heavy, sidewalks and streets are slippery.
Chicago-area snow totals
The National Weather Service reported the following snow totals in the Chicago area Friday morning through 6 a.m.
Rockford: 7.3 inches
Antioch: 5 inches
Geneva: 1.5 inches
O'Hare: 1.2 inches
The NWS said the snowfall in Rockford marks the first snowfall of 6+ inches on March 9 or later for the city since 1993.
Snow lingers for morning commute
Snow gradually tapers off through the morning as flurries linger into the afternoon and evening.
TGIF! Light snow still falling as temps hover near freezing. We're on the air now, join us for @cbschicago -- stream us live here: https://t.co/r5HKFrznYQ pic.twitter.com/j5kjrQUu0X
— Laura Bannon (@LBannonWX) March 10, 2023
Friday morning commuters should allow for extra time and snowy, slick roads are causing hazardous driving conditions.
Another round of snow develops late Saturday into Sunday.
Mobile Weather Lab: Heavy snowfall impacting driving conditions on Edens Expressway
CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe reported live from the Mobile Weather Lab on the Edens Expressway.
She said snow is slushy and impacting driving conditions in the northern suburbs.
She said drivers in front are pushing snow onto windshields behind, lowing visibility.
Heavy snow fell in Elgin overnight. Snow coated cars and grass.
While there was not much accumulation, roadways are slick
What to expect for Friday morning
A rain-snow mix persisted in the Chicago area late Thursday, with rain turning to snow in the city. But temperatures were just above freezing, preventing the snow from accumulating.
Temperatures will drop overnight, but the moisture will also decrease in the overnight hours. By 5 a.m., it will be mainly scattered areas of light snow, and by 8 a.m., the snowfall will be down to isolated pockets along the lakeshore.
A disturbance Saturday night will bring snow again, dropping about 1 to 2 inches. Another system will be coming through Sunday night into Monday.
Streets and San dispatches more than 200 salt trucks
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation late Thursday announced they had deployed more than 200 salt spreading trucks, with wintry mix conditions expected to persist through the night and into Friday morning.
The salt trucks will focus on snow and ice on the city's arterial routes and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
To view the city's snow plow fleet in real time, follow this link.
Chicago Weather Alert continues
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 7am Friday. Slippery roads will be possible tonight through tomorrow morning, especially for areas west and north of Chicago.
Heavy bursts of snow will be possible now through about midnight. Two to five inches of snowfall is in the forecast of areas north of I-88. Isolated amounts of 5 to 7 inches possible near the Wisconsin state line. Areas south of I-88 to I-80 will decrease to one to two inches of snow, then lighter snow amounts and mainly rain accumulations for areas south of I-80.
Light lingering snow showers for the Friday morning commute, then just flurries for Friday afternoon and evening. Highs on Friday will be in the mid 30s.
Another opportunity of accumulating snow arrives Saturday evening through Sunday morning. An additional one to two inches of snow is possible. A third round of snow is in the forecast late Sunday into Monday.
TONIGHT: Widespread rain and snow. Some heavy bursts of snow possible through midnight. Decreasing snow after 5am. Low 32°
FRIDAY: Morning areas of mainly light snow, then lingering flurries in the afternoon and evening. High 36°
SATURDAY: Cloudy skies with a chance for snow after sunset. High 37°
Chicago Weather Alert: Slippery tonight into tomorrow
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon says heavier bursts of snow are on the way.
Chicago Weather Alert: Cold rain continues
Cold rain continues moving our way. Mixes with snow this evening. Slushy accumulation begins after sunset lasts until midnight. Snow showers will linger into the morning rush.
Slushy SNOW accumulation expected north of I-88, especially near the Wisconsin line.
Mainly RAIN south of I-80 where milder air resides.
Winter Weather Advisory until 7am Friday.
TONIGHT: MIX TO SNOW. HEAVIER NEAR WI LINE. LOW 32.
FRIDAY: MORNING SNOW SHOWERS. HIGH 36.
SATURDAY: CLOUDY & CHILLY. HIGH 37.
SUNDAY: AM SNOW SHOWERS. HIGH 38.
Revised snowfall numbers
Here is the latest outlook for snow totals across the area, as of 2:30 p.m.
And here is what to expect over the next 12 hours.
Radar image as of 2 p.m.
Rain, slush or snow?
For this system, results will vary.
Milder temperatures in Chicago and its nearby suburbs will result in the full rain to snow transition taking a bit longer.
In addition, pavement temperatures will likely take a bit longer to respond to the heavier snow rates and not support slushy accumulations on roads until near and after sunset.
Later this evening, some areas may get heavy snowfall at up to an inch per hour. The biggest accumulations are expected north of Interstate 88. About six inches near Wisconsin are possible, while towns south of Interstate 80 will be more rain with some snow mixed in.