Chicago Snow Forecast: Wednesday Morning Commute Affected
Chicago is bracing for another cold winter day with temperatures ranging from the upper teens near the Wisconsin border to the mid-twenties in southern counties. A significant snowfall event is expected, impacting the Wednesday morning commute.
Snow Forecast for Chicago Commute
Accumulating snowfall is predicted to begin late this evening, continuing into the early hours of Wednesday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for several counties, including:
- McHenry
- Lake (IL)
- DeKalb
- Kane
- DuPage
- Northern and Central Cook Counties
The advisory is effective from 8 p.m. for McHenry and Lake counties and 10 p.m. for the others. Snow accumulation is anticipated to be between 1 to 4 inches, especially near the Wisconsin border. In certain areas, localized amounts could reach up to 5 inches if heavy banding occurs overnight.
Meteorological Overview
Commuters traveling mainly north of I-80 should prepare for difficult conditions on Wednesday morning. Steady snowfall is expected to taper off shortly after daybreak, with the advisory ending at 8 a.m. However, scattered snow showers may persist later in the day as colder air moves into the region.
On Wednesday, temperatures will rise to the upper 20s. Following this, a cold front will push in on Thursday, dropping temperatures to the lower 20s. An arctic blast will occur Thursday night into Friday, bringing dangerously cold wind chills that could feel like -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warming Center Availability
In response to the severe cold, Chicago will activate emergency warming centers from Wednesday through Friday. Here are some locations:
- Englewood Community Service Center – 1140 West 79th Street
- Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue
- Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center – 4314 South Cottage Grove
- North Area Community Service Center – 845 West Wilson Avenue
- South Chicago Community Service Center – 8650 South Commercial Avenue
- Trina Davila Community Service Center – 4312 West North Avenue
Additionally, all DFSS Senior Centers will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the Renaissance Court Senior Center operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Various public libraries, parks, and City Colleges of Chicago will offer services during standard hours, while police districts remain available 24/7 for assistance.
For the latest information, residents can visit 311.chicago.gov or contact 3-1-1 for details about warming centers and safety precautions during this harsh winter weather.
