Major winter storm Thu thru Sat with heavy snow, strong winds, severe blowing/drifting snow & bitter cold. The worst conditions will develop Thu evening & continue into Fri evening when a full fledged blizzard is possible along with dangerously cold temp. #ilwx#inwx
This is a look at impacts over space and time for the expected winter storm. Note the large footprint of this system, so travel will be impacted over much of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
A significant winter storm is going to impact the region later this week. While some accumulating snow is possible during the day Thu, the most dangerous conditions, including a potential blizzard, is expected to develop Thu night & continue through Friday and Friday night.
Here is a look at some winter weather preparedness actions you can take with the threat for significant winter impacts increasing for the end of the week.
A dangerous aspect of this storm is going to be the bitter cold, including during the heavy snow & potentially blizzard conditions. Wind chills will drop to -30° as early as Friday morning. Once the snow stops later Friday, dangerous cold will continue through the weekend.
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.Thu 12/22 AM Update! 1) Key Messages for the Dangerous Winter Weather Today-Early Saturday:
Conditions will deteriorate quickly late AM-aftn hours with snow, gusty winds & plummeting temperatures. The snow will taper on Friday though dangerous cold will remain. #ILwx#INwx (1/6)
.Arrival time of hazardous travel conditions today: Arctic front will sweep across the area from late AM thru early aftn from west to east, with accumulating snow, plummeting temps & gusty winds. A flash freeze may cause ice covered roads, topped by the snow. #ILwx#INwx (2/6)
.Periods of whiteout (blizzard) conditions likely later today thru Fri. night, especially in open areas. North-south roads most susceptible to blizzard conditions & drifts due to strong west-NW winds. With -30 to -40 wind chills, getting stranded can be deadly! #ILwx#INwx (3/6)
.Wed AM update! 1) Key messages on the dangerous winter weather Thursday into the holiday wknd. A powerful storm system will bring strong winds, falling and blowing & drifting snow, & extreme cold. Worst conditions: Thu-Fri. Threat for flash freeze on Thursday! #ILwx#INwx (1/5)
.2) Timeline graphic showing our latest thoughts on the upcoming dangerous winter weather. Travel conditions will likely rapidly deteriorate on Thursday AM through the afternoon from west to east. A flash freeze may cause icy roads during the accumulating snow! #ILwx#INwx (2/5)
.Impacts from the storm will be driven by combination of cold, wind & snow rather than snow alone. Don’t let your guard down from the moderate amounts of snow forecast; combined effects will lead to dangerous travel conditions which can become life threatening. #ILwx#INwx (3/5)
[4:00 AM 12/20] Confidence in a major winter storm continues to increase for the Thursday to Saturday time frame. Blizzard conditions are possible, and travel looks to become severely impacted, particularly Thursday night through Friday afternoon. #ILwx#INwx
This is an updated timeline graphic showing our latest thoughts on the upcoming major winter storm. Travel conditions will likely rapidly deteriorate Thursday afternoon and evening. #ILwx#INwx.
Here is a look at areas expected to see the most dangerous travel conditions. Rapidly deteriorating travel conditions are expected across Illinois through Thursday afternoon. If possible, consider alternate travel plans! #ILwx#INwx
One of the very important jobs we have here at @NWSChicago is aviation forecasting, including for Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports. We work closely with the FAA providing forecasts that they utilize to make decisions, including which runways to use for landing and taking off.
Wind forecasts play a significant role in determining the runways to be used. During the spring & summer, lake breezes frequently result in wind shifts that cause the FAA to change runways being used, which during busy times involves moving around many planes on their way here.
Lake breezes in late summer tend to be weaker & more prone to "squirrelly" movements (due to the warmer lake), making them harder to predict. Forecasting the movements and timing of wind shifts associated with lake breezes is often a humbling task for NWS meteorologists!
(1/5) This hour of tornado safety for Illinois #SeverePrep Week: Know the difference between a watch and a warning and what to do during a watch #ilwx
(2/5) Do you know the difference between severe weather WATCHES and WARNINGS? A WATCH means severe storms or tornadoes might form and affect your area. A WARNING means it’s time to take action! A severe storm or tornado is expected in your area. #SeverePrep#ILwx
(3/5) Specific terminology for tornadoes
• Note that a Tornado Emergency is an exceedingly rare situation (such as the Kentucky tornadoes back on Dec 10, 2021) with a confirmed violent tornado posing a severe threat to life & catastrophic damage #SeverePrep#ilwx
(1/4) Continuing the theme of this morning's Twitter tornado drill, we'll continue with tornado safety on day 2 of Illinois #SeverePrep Week. This hour, what to do BEFORE a tornado. #ilwx
(2/4) Some people are especially vulnerable to the dangers of tornadoes.
Those with a lower level of mobility, such as the elderly or disabled, or those who live in mobile homes, may need your help to prepare & stay safe & #WeatherReady. #SeverePrep#ilwxweather.gov/safety/tornado