Winter Storm to Hit Thursday Evening Bringing High Winds, Snow

We've gone a long time without snow this season—even setting records that date back to the 1960s.

That should all end tonight, as Chicago meteorologists are expecting the area to be hit hard by a winter storm that will bring high winds and several inches of snow. If you have the ability to stay off the roads tonight, it's probably a good idea to curl up at home and wait it out. 

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, blizzard conditions are expected due to high winds throwing snow into the air.

Morning rain will change to snow by mid-afternoon, which will then linger throughout the night. Current indications show that a total of 4-7 inches of snow is expected tonight, along with possible thundersnow.

Winds will pick up in the late-afternoon and increase to between 30-40 mph. The biggest hazard there is snow thrown into the air causing whiteout conditions and impairing driver's ability to see.

With winds that speed, it's also a good idea to bring anything in, or to secure objects that might be picked up and throw, such as deck furniture.

Patch will be following the storm and providing updates all night and tomorrow as well. Check back on the site for more information, and become a fan of Oak Park and River Forest Patch on Facebook and Forest Park Patch on Facebook to get real time updates and coverage.

Stay safe out their, readers!