Full Notification

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST FRIDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS.


* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WITH THE
HEAVIEST FALLING THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE LIKELY
ACROSS THE AREA BY EARLY TONIGHT. ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE
POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY NEAR LAKE MICHIGAN. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION OF
AROUND 1 INCH PER HOUR IS POSSIBLE FROM MID AFTERNOON INTO EARLY
EVENING.

* HAZARDS...IN ADDITION TO THE FALLING SNOW...WINDS WILL INCREASE
TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH LATE THIS AFTERNOON RESULTING
IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...ESPECIALLY IN OUTLYING AND OPEN
AREAS. WIND CHILLS ARE ALSO FORECAST TO DROP TO ZERO TO 10 BELOW
BY FRIDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...ACCUMULATING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES WILL LIKELY
MAKE TRAVEL TREACHEROUS FOR THE AFTERNOON COMMUTE TODAY...WITH
TRAVEL CONDITIONS REMAINING DANGEROUS AND TREACHEROUS TONIGHT
INTO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS. HEAVY
SNOWFALL RATES OF AROUND 1 INCH PER HOUR MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT
FOR SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS TO KEEP UP IN SOME AREAS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

It is important to monitor weather sources to be informed when a winter storm is possible and to be familiar with the terms used to describe the likelihood, immediacy, and conditions of a potential storm.
Winter storm watch: Be alert, a storm is likely.

Winter weather advisory: Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists.

Frost/freeze warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.

Winter storm warning: Take action, the storm is in or entering the area.

Blizzard warning: Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill--seek refuge immediately.

Wind chill: Wind chill is an estimation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined.