Snowfall in Arlington Heights over-performed the forecast, accumulating to 3.75 inches instead of the 0.5 inch that was expected. Roads were very slippery, as well.
According to the NWS Chicago at 8:35 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, the forecast was generally on track, with snow reported at sites on the western (Rockford) and southern (Pontiac) edge of the weather watch area. Locations in northwest Illinois have reported limited visibilities with the snow, mainly between 1 to 2 miles, although isolated moments of even lower visibilities can certainly happen. Sites west of I-55 are at or below freezing, so some of this snow can accumulate, with most locations seeing a dusting, while some areas may see close to an inch, mainly further north and west, according to NWS Chicago. The main change was increasing slightly the chances for precipitation over the next few hours.
Locations in south Ford, Iroquois and Benton counties will see rain/snow mix, followed by a wintry mix that will include sleet and a chance for freezing rain or drizzle. This area of wintry mix will spread further north as the low-level warm nose moves north. This wintry mix could reach as far north as I-80 after midnight. A couple of hundredths of an inch of ice may accumulate in far southern locations.
Snow was expected to move into the Chicago suburbs around 10 PM, and west of I-65 by around 11:00 PM. Snowfall started around 9:20 p.m. in Arlington Heights, and started falling at a higher rate at about 10:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
According to the NWS Chicago, most of the precipitation will be east of the forecast area by around 3 AM, although lingering drizzle or freezing drizzle is expected to remain until around daybreak for locations east of I-57. There is also a chance that some fog can develop later tonight, mainly in areas south of I-80.
Weather Radar) shows that the longest streak of the precipitation image just passed over Arlington Heights from around 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The area of precipitation was moving southwest to northwest, and the trailing edge was over Arlington Heights about 11:10 p.m.
See also Arlingtoncardinal.com/clouds
Glimpse of quick accum in the past hour in Rockford, IL, where snow is now tapering in intensity. Light to briefly heavier snow will now spread over the Chicago area by shortly after 10 P.M. and taper around midnight. Use caution & extra following distance tonight. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/mG049lhpON
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 30, 2021
Snow is spreading over the area this eve. Most of this is light, though some heavier rates. We do expect light accums on untreated and any colder surfaces, and even treated surfaces where it snows a little heavier. Also some mix in the far south. Use extra caution. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/J0p21Hsk89
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 30, 2021
O’HARE FORECAST …
Tonight: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 2am, then a chance of snow between 2am and 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total nighttime snow accumulation of at least 3.5 inches is certain for Arlington Heights and nearby communities.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Friday Night: A chance of rain, snow, and sleet before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow between 2am and 5am, then a chance of snow after 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
New Year’s Day: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 7.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 27.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Wednesday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
december.chicagoweatherstation.com
Chicago Weather Forecast for your MAC/PC/TABLET includes surrounding suburbs.
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