Winter Storm Watch issued for Chicago ahead of an impactful storm, Illinois
Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Chicago ahead of an impactful winter storm set to sweep through the region on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The storm could bring snow totals of up to 20 cm (8 inches) in some areas and create dangerous travel conditions.
Winter storm snow forecast map for Chicago and rest of Illinois for Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Image credit: NWS
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the entire Chicago area, including Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, and Winnebago counties in Illinois, as well as Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, from 09:00 LT on Wednesday, February 12 until 03:00 LT on Thursday, February 13.
The storm is forecast to move over Chicago on Wednesday, bringing heavy snowfall. Snow accumulations of 8 – 15 cm (3 – 6 inches) are expected across the region, with Waukegan, Elgin, and parts of Chicago potentially receiving over 20 cm (8 inches).
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 11:00 and 17:00 LT on Wednesday. Accumulations could create hazardous travel conditions with significantly reduced visibility.
Light to moderate snow will continue in parts of the region from 18:00 LT on Wednesday to 00:00 LT on Thursday, with additional accumulations ranging from a few millimeters to approximately 5 cm (2 inches).
Snow may mix with or transition to freezing drizzle or light freezing rain on the evening of Wednesday, with the highest likelihood south of I-80.
The storm will also bring extreme cold, with temperatures expected to drop to -19.4 °C (-3 °F) by the early hours of Thursday.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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