The National Weather Service says Lake and McHenry counties have a high potential for travel impacts due to a burst of snow expected Friday evening.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a special weather statement Friday morning for Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage and Cook counties.
A band of snow is expected to develop and move across northern Illinois on Friday evening, the statement said.
“Though the snow may only last for an hour or two at any given location, snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour, resulting in quick accumulations on roadways,” the NWS said.
Sharply reduced visibility under half a mile and winds gusting as high as 30 mph will “further exacerbate” the hazardous travel conditions.
Snow accumulations of one to three inches are possible, the NWS said. It is expected to occur from 5-11 p.m. throughout the Chicagoland area.
Motorists are encouraged to prepare for “rapidly changing” conditions if traveling on Friday evening.
The NWS said far northern Illinois counties bordering Wisconsin, including Lake, McHenry, Boone and Winnebago, have the highest potential for travel impacts due to the weather.
Additional periods of snow are possible late Friday through the upcoming weekend and may be mixed with rain, sleet and freezing rain at times on Saturday.
Slick spots are likely to develop on untreated roads, bridges and overpasses wherever freezing rain occurs, the NWS said.
Friday evening’s burst of snow comes two days after snow caused reduced visibility and crashes in the northern Illinois area, with five inches of snow reported near Harvard and 4.5 inches reported near Lake Villa.