The National Weather Service says freezing rain will intensify Monday evening into Tuesday morning across northern Illinois with the possibility of impacting the morning commute.
A winter weather advisory was issued on Sunday for Lake and McHenry counties, along with nearly all northern and central Illinois counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the advisory, which went into effect at 5 a.m. Monday, to warn of a wintry mix involving freezing rain.
Freezing rain will expand in coverage and intensity later Monday evening and continue into Tuesday morning, the NWS said in an update Monday afternoon.
The highest precipitation rates are expected around 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Air temperatures in parts of the area may warm above 32 degrees but even in those locations ground temperatures may take longer to warm above freezing and prolong the threat of icy spots on some roads, the NWS said.
Freezing rain is expected to mix with and change to a period of wet snow with some accumulation across portions of far northern Illinois after 6 a.m. Tuesday until around mid-day.
Parts of Lake and McHenry counties could see two inches of snow, the NWS said.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) warned motorists during the day Monday to “take it slow” and said roads that appear wet could be covered with ice.
“Please slow down, increase following distances, expect travel delays and give our trucks plenty of space to treat the roads,” IDOT said.
The weather service said they will provide an update once available regarding the impacts on the Tuesday morning commute.
The winter weather advisory remains in effect until 12 p.m. Tuesday.