NWS expects ‘real taste of winter’ in coming days for Joliet area

More snow and temperatures in the single digits are in the forecast in the coming days for the Joliet area, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter weather advisory was in effect until midday on Friday for the area, according to the NWS.

The forecast calls for several rounds of snowfall over the next few days, according to Brett Borchardt, a meteorologist at the NWS Chicago Office in Romeoville. In addition, the area will see several days of very cold temperatures well into next week.

“We’re expecting a real taste of winter,” Borchardt said.

While no one round of snowfall may be “overly heavy” like there was last weekend, Borchardt said the snow could start piling up as next weekend progresses. Friday’s forecast calls for flurries and snow is likely to fall on Saturday afternoon as well, according to the NWS.

On top of that, temperatures will plummet, especially over the weekend. The NWS forecast says Saturday will see a high of 11 degrees and a high of only 8 degrees on Sunday.

Even next week there will be days where temperatures will “be struggling to get out of the single digits,” Borchardt said.

“It’s definitely the coldest air we’ve seen this year,” he said.

Borchardt said residents should be careful if they need to go outdoors and layer up to protect themselves. He added they should not wait until they feel cold to warm up.

Already on Thursday afternoon, Illinois State Police troopers in District 5 were responding to two crashes on Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 52, according to Trooper Jayme Bufford. He said no injuries were reported for either incident.

Bufford also advised residents to remain vigilant and drive responsibly in the winter conditions.

The ISP suggests residents do not travel, but if they have to, allow for extra time to reach their destination, avoid unnecessary lane changes, reduce their speed, and increase their following distance on snowy or covered roadways.