Winter storm warning issued for portions of Northern Illinois

Commuters in Northern Illinois should start making plans for a messy Thursday, including icy conditions in the morning and blowing snow in the afternoon and evening hours.

A winter storm warning has been issued for La Salle, Will, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee and Livingston counties from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

A period of accumulating freezing rain and sleet is expected overnight into Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. A period of heavy snowfall is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and continue into early Thursday evening. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are probable. Winds are expected to gust as high as 40 mph.

The heavy snowfall combined with high winds are expected to make travel treacherous. The heavy wet nature of the snow could also put strain on tree limbs and power lines, which may result in some power outages.

Additionally, a winter weather advisory has been issued for DeKalb, Lee, Bureau, Putnam and Kane counties. A brief period of freezing rain, sleet, and snow is possible late Thursday. A break in the accumulating wintry precipitation is expected for Thursday morning. Wind driven snow is expected Thursday afternoon and early evening with total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze predicted. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph and a wind advisory has been issued.

Farther north, snowfall is expected to be 1 to 2 inches in McHenry and Lake counties, but conditions will be blustery with winds up to 25 to 30 mph.

High temperatures will climb into the 50s Wednesday as rain showers are expected before 5 a.m. Rain will turn into freezing rain and sleet, and snow is expected mainly after 10 a.m.

Low temperatures Thursday are expected to fall into the single digits with wind chills below 0. Friday will bring sunny skies and high temperatures in the 30s; Saturday more of the same; before a warm up is expected Sunday with high temperatures near 50 again.

When traveling in slick, or icy conditions, motorists should avoid travel if they can, however, if they must travel they should drive slowly, accelerate and decelerate slowly, avoid abrupt stops and give more space between the next vehicle of up to 5 to 6 seconds, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.