The first Winter Weather Advisory is likely to be a bust in the snow accumulation department.
Today we have the first Winter Weather Advisory of the upcoming Winter season, but the top snow accumulations of 3 inches is likely overestimated by some forecasters. Nevertheless, this is an interesting wintry system that already today included morning snow that was likely connected to several crashes, including a fatal crash in northern Lake County, Illinois. Next, scattered afternoon snow showers and squalls included some in-cloud lightning observed in DeKalb County. Progressing Tuesday into Halloween night, additional lightning was possible until about 8:00 p.m.
Tonight, a band of snow is pivoting over central Lake Michigan and across east central Wisconsin, and pushing south along the lakeshore into the area by this evening with atmospheric conditions that could support high snowfall rates in excess of 1 inch per hour.
The area near O’Hare International Airport may see the most snow accumulation, but the forecast of accumulation on paved surfaces is a difficult forecast. Additionally, the NWS station at O’Hare International Airport hasn’t reported any snowfall since about 3:51 p.m., and the weather radar for northeast Illinois is paltry.
Weather Radar shows a thin band moving lengthwise down the
Lake Michigan shoreline from Wisconsin. The precipitation band is diminishing as it approaches Illinois at 8:00 p.m.
Weather Radar in northeast Illinois was clear.
While surface temperatures are currently just above freezing, wet-bulb temperatures are below freezing. At the very least, snow accumulation was expected on elevated surfaces, including bridges and overpasses, and grass, vehicles and patio furniture, etc.
Hazardous travel is likely, especially if snowfall rates become high enough to accumulate in a burst of snowfall coverage on roads despite above freezing road temperatures. Otherwise, the hazardous roads will result from sub-freezing temperatures on wet roads.
Winds are also anticipated to ramp up with the band of snow, with gusts in the 35-40 MPH range, and even 45 MPH, are likely to peak around 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The combination of high snowfall rates, gusty winds, poor visibility, and the fact that this system is the first accumulating snowfall event of the year, prompted the issuance of the first Winter Weather Advisory of the year, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind gusts at O’Hare International have only reached around 20 to 25 MPH this evening.
Expected Snow Accumulation
(probably less than shown)
Antioch … 0.3 inch
Arlington Heights … 1.2 inch
Buffalo Grove (north) … 1.0 inch
Lake Forest … 1.2 inch
McHenry … 0.1 inch
Navy Pier … 0.9 inch
O’Hare International Airport … 1.7 inch
St Charles … 0.3 inch
Tinley Park … 0.8 inch
Wauconda … 0.3 inch
Waukegan … 1.3
We dry out on Wednesday with temperatures warming into the lower
to mid 40s.
See also Arlingtoncardinal.com/clouds
NWStweet?
O’HARE FORECAST …
Tonight: Snow showers, mainly before 10pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 27. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 42. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Monday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
LAKE TEMPS …
SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN WATER TEMPERATURES
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
912 AM CDT Tue Oct 31 2023
LAKE MICHIGAN WATER TEMPERATURES…
CHICAGO SHORE………..54.
CHICAGO CRIB…………54.
WILMETTE BUOY………..56.
MICHIGAN CITY………..55.
MICHIGAN CITY BUOY……55.
SOUTH MID LAKE BUOY…..55.
NORTH MID LAKE BUOY…..53.
&&
M IS FOR MISSING DATA THAT IS NORMALLY AVAILABLE.
THE MICHIGAN CITY WATER TEMPERATURE SENSOR IS LOCATED AT A WATER
INTAKE ONE MILE OFFSHORE AND 60 FEET BELOW WATER SURFACE. IT IS READ EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.
october.chicagoweatherstation.com
Chicago Weather Forecast for your MAC/PC/TABLET includes surrounding suburbs.
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