Vehicle crashes are being reported in Lake and McHenry counties as snowfall and blustery winds will continue into the evening hours Saturday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the warning, which went into effect on Saturday at noon, will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday.
The warning is in effect for Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Cook, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy and Will counties.
“Snow continues across the area into this evening and this will at times be heavy, and in open locations be accompanied with some shallow blowing snow,” the NWS said in an update late Saturday afternoon.
“Travel is hazardous across the area seeing snow, and in areas where the snowfall is heavy, snow cover on roadways is happening quickly,” the update said.
Those who have to travel are urged to use heightened caution, drive slow and ensure they have a winter weather safety kit in their vehicle.
Gusty northerly winds will increase blowing snow potential, especially as temperatures drop, the NWS said.
“This will make travel hazardous over much of the area this eve. By Sunday morning, lingering poor road conditions in places, mainly northwest Indiana with ongoing lake effect,” the update said.
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) said their snowplow drivers are “working hard to keep up with the continuous snowfall.”
“Gusty winds have led to blowing snow – which is a challenge,” LCDOT said.
Lake County could see more snow than McHenry County due to lake enhancement. Up to 40 mph gusts of wind are possible near the lake.
Parts of Lake County could see 5-9 inches of snow, while McHenry County could see 4-6 inches, the NWS said.
The most intense snowfall and highest snowfall rates are expected from 2-8 p.m., with some parts of Lake and Cook counties seeing heavy snowfall continue until midnight.
Temperatures will fall through the 20s overnight, the NWS said.