7 Inches Of Snow, 40 MPH Winds: Winter Storm Warnings For IL

ILLINOIS — Winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of the Chicago area, as wintry weather is expected on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition to the snow on Thursday, there is also heavy rain and a flooding risk on Wednesday. With highs of 50 degrees expected on Wednesday, rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches could lead to flooding and river rises, according to the weather service.

The heaviest rainfall is expected Wednesday night, the weather service said.

A wind advisory is also in effect for DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, central and southern Cook and Will counties from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, with gusts up to 50 mph possible. The weather service said gusts could blow around unsecured objects or topple small tree limbs.

As we move into Thursday, wintry weather is expected to begin, first with a period of accumulating freezing rain and sleet in the early morning, according to the weather service.

A winter storm warning is in effect for La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, southern Cook and Will counties from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Heavy snowfall will develop Thursday afternoon and continue into early Thursday evening, the weather service said. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches are possible, along with a light glaze of ice.

Snow totals will vary across the Chicago area. The northernmost suburbs might get 1 to 3 inches of snow, Chicago could receive between 3 and 4 inches of snow, and the Joliet area could see between 3 and 7 inches of snow, according to the weather service.

The weather service said the forecast for the heaviest snow still could shift a little north or south, but confidence is growing in the placement of these snowfall totals.

Winds could also gust as high as 40 mph, and the heavy, wet nature of the snow could put strain on tree limbs or power lines, the weather service said.

If you need to drive, plan for slippery road conditions for the Thursday morning commute. Travel will also be difficult during the afternoon and evening as wind-driven, heavy, wet snow will affect the road conditions.