Winter Storm Warning Issued For McHenry, Lake Counties

A winter storm warning has been issued for Lake and McHenry counties. The warning is set to take effect at 9 p.m. Sunday and continue through 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow, blowing snow and freezing drizzle are expected and driving conditions could be hazardous Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Total snow accumulations of six to nine inches are expected over the course of the storm. The snowfall is expected to start by 9 p.m. Sunday for McHenry and northwest Lake counties and will enter southeast Lake County by 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The snow will be heavy at times overnight with the heaviest snowfall expected to end by early Monday morning.

Travel could be very difficult Monday morning and patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility for drivers. For those wanting to check on school closures, the Emergency Closing Center website will post area closings. You can also check your school district’s website and Facebook page.

As for the rest of Monday, light snow and freezing drizzle are in the forecast. As winds pick back up and temperatures drop Monday afternoon, blowing snow will be possible again.

And then, get ready for the cold. From late Tuesday through early Thursday, brutally cold temperatures and potentially life-threatening wind chills will enter northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, according to the National Weather Service.

During the coldest period from Tuesday night through Wednesday night, wind chills are expected to fall below -40 degrees in many locations. Starting Tuesday morning, actual temperatures will not climb above the single digits until Friday afternoon.