A winter storm could dump between 6 and 9 inches of snow on Chicago this weekend, less than a week after the region weathered its largest snowfall in two years.
The heavy, wet snow will quickly intensify after it hits Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said in its winter storm warning, effective 3 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Up to 5 inches could fall between 6 p.m. Saturday and midnight, weather service meteorologist Brian Leatherwood said.
Chicago winters have been relatively mild, in terms of snowfall, over the past couple of years, Leatherwood said.
But compared with those seasons’ storms, “this is one of the bigger ones,” he said.
Forecasters expect as much as 9 inches of snow, Leatherwood said.
The snow, in combination with strong wind and low visibility, could cause dangerous driving conditions and lakeshore waves up to 8 feet tall, the weather service said in its forecast.
The snow will be its most intense Saturday eve into early overnight, then taper to more light to occasionally moderate on Sunday. Impacts will start to diminish, however how quickly on Sun A.M. is lower confidence. Lake enhanced snow may linger into Chicago Sun P.M. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/Gg9Q6W3Sq0
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 29, 2021
When the snow eases Sunday morning, the winds will change from west to east and bring a round of lake-effect snow. That snow could last until Sunday evening.
A storm that hit the area Tuesday dropped 5.8 inches of snow at O’Hare International Airport, which was the largest snowfall in Chicago since April 2019.
This storm, which is just reaching the southwest coast, could easily surpass that total, according to Leatherwood.
Chicago has recorded 11.1 inches of snow so far this season, putting us above the 10.8-inch average, Leatherwood said.
While Tuesday’s storm brought the area up to the average, Leatherwood said, “this storm could put us above normal.”
Let's talk weekend ❄️...
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 29, 2021
Our confidence is high snow will move in late Saturday afternoon & early eve, picking up in intensity quickly after it onsets. With potential for significant amounts (6+"), snow-covered roads will occur & dangerous travel conditions possible. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/K5LgjbAlfD
