CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- This weekend's weather has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning, the National Weather Service says.
The warning takes effect 3 p.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday for Cook and surrounding counties that comprise the Chicago area. Previously, the snow storm was under the "watch" category; a warning makes it more certain.
Heavy, wet snow along with easterly winds gusting up to 35 mph is likely to arrive Saturday night into early Sunday. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches is expected, with more possible in some areas, the National Weather Service said.
Travel could be dangerous at times due to the heavy, wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages are possible.
Monday brings temperatures in the low 30s with possible lake effect snow showers.
A storm that hit the area Tuesday dropped 5.8 inches of snow at O’Hare International Airport, which was the largest snowfall in Chicago since April 2019.
The coming storm, which is just reaching the southwest coast, could easily surpass that total, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Leatherwood.
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Chicago has recorded 11.1 inches of snow so far this season, putting us above the 10.8 inch average, Leatherwood said.
While Tuesday’s storm brought the area up to the average, Leatherwood said, “this storm could put us above normal.”