Forecasters say the Chicagoland area is seeing the first snowflakes of the season Wednesday evening ahead of measurable snowfall and high wind on Thursday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the first snow of the season was expected late Wednesday into Thursday.
Scattered to numerous snow showers are expected overnight.
They may produce some light accumulations mainly on grassy or untreated surfaces.
The NWS said a more substantial period of wet snow is likely Thursday with some slushy accumulations, especially from mid-morning into early afternoon.
Snow will become mixed with rain in the afternoon on Thursday. “Plan for slow and potentially slippery travel during the day Thursday,” the NWS said.
Wind-whipped wet snow, featuring gusts of 30-45 mph, is expected.
A two to three-hour period of moderate to heavy snow rates approaching or exceeding an inch an hour is possible, the NWS said.
Peak rates are expected to start around 8-9 a.m. Thursday in far northern Illinois and end by 2-3 p.m. in east central Illinois.
“Despite the mild ground conditions going into this event, snowfall rates this heavy should still yield some slushy road accumulations, with the possible exception of on the most heavily traveled roads in/near Chicago,” the NWS said.
Gradually rising temperatures and precipitation changing to rain will likely melt off most of the snow that falls earlier in the day by the mid to late Thursday afternoon.