Chicago Area To See Up To 7 Inches Of Snow Monday, Followed By Brutal Cold Snap

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Another formidable bout of snowfall is heading to the Chicago area Sunday night, possibly dumping 4 to 7 inches of snow before temperatures are expected to plummet to dangerous levels the region hasn't seen in years. Later in the week, the windchill is expected to drop as low as 41 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

Starting 11 p.m. Sunday and ramping up drastically just after 12 a.m. Monday, snow will arrive in northeast Illinois as winds tear through at speeds as high as 30 mph, the weather service said.

The highest accumulation of snowfall, up to 9 inches, is predicted in the northernmost suburbs, close to the Wisconsin border, the NWS said.

Widespread heavy snow will end from west to ease this morning, but more occasional snow will be seen after that time. Significant impacts to the entire morning commute are expected for much of the area due to snow covered roads. https://t.co/hvAEYCJelM#ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/qz2SnUlJal

Snowfall is expected to ramp up between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. Monday, with heavy snow covering the roads making for a hazardous early morning commute, the NWS said.

The weather service warned of difficult travel conditions and advised motorists to use caution while navigating slippery roads with limited visibilities. Drivers are warned to look out for blowing snow and heavy travel delays during the Monday morning commute.

Cook, Kane, DuPage, Will, Grundy, LaSalle and Kendall counties will remain under a winter weather advisory from 9 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday, the weather service said. Additionally, Lake and Porter counties in northwest Indiana will be under the same advisory from midnight until 6 p.m. Monday.

Light snow developing across the area late this evening will become heavy after midnight. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/u46Lgmquov

As of 1:25 p.m. Sunday, 28 flights had already been canceled at O'Hare International Airport and 17 more had been grounded at Midway International Airport, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Average delays at both airports were lasting less than 15 minutes.

There will be one silver lining for Chicagoans, however: temperatures will rise to 33 degrees by 10 a.m. Monday, offering a brief respite before they dive back to subzero values, the weather service said.

The city's Monday afternoon temperatures will stay in the low-20s before dipping back to zero degrees at night, the NWS said. Windchill values will be as low as 11 degrees below zero that evening.

Significant impacts are likely to the Monday AM commute due to snow covered roads. Heavy snow in early part of commute expected to taper off by 7-8am. Know before you go! Check road conditions before driving, pack an emergency supply kit. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/mx4vu1E06o

The mass of cold air slated to arrive in northeast Illinois around then could be the coldest in years, the NWS said. Windchill values could fall as low as minus 41 degrees in some areas this week.

The last time the region weathered temperatures this low was Jan. 18-20, 1994, when Chicago recorded a windchill of minus 21, the NWS said.

On Tuesday, the city is predicted to endure a high of 3 degrees in the day and a low of 19 degrees below zero at night, the weather service said.

The forecast lowest wind chills of the historic, brutal cold snap coming this week, Wednesday morning. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/UrXiTW5KKv

Though a partly sunny day is forecasted for both Tuesday and Wednesday, the high will likely be minus 13 the latter day, the NWS said. That night, temperatures should drop to a low of 18 degrees below zero.

The cold should relent Thursday at the earliest — though there is a chance of snow both Thursday and Friday, the NWS said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2019. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)