'Hazardous' Travel Likely As Snow Returns, Cold Persists

ILLINOIS — As the arctic cold continues, and with more snow expected Friday evening into Saturday, area drivers should again plan for slippery roadways if traveling.

There has been no break in the wintry weather yet for the Chicago area, and it's not looking like we will get one over the Valentine's Day weekend. Light snow is expected to develop across the area on Friday evening and continue through most of Saturday, the weather service said. Total snow accumulation will be between 1 and 4 inches, with the highest totals likely along the Interstate 80 corridor.

Snow-covered roads will make for hazardous travel across the area late Friday and on Saturday, according to the weather service. The snow will develop eastward between 6 and 9 p.m. Friday, and earlier than 6 p.m. for northwest and north central Illinois.

The cold temperatures also cause road treatments to be less effective, the weather service said. If you need to drive, you should be cautious and allow extra travel time.

Lows for the weekend include 1 degree below zero on Friday night, 9 degrees below zero on Saturday night and 10 degrees below zero on Sunday night, according to the weather service. In addition, wind chills of 25 below are possible Saturday night.

Sunday looks to be partly cloudy, but the chance for snow returns on Monday, according to the weather service. Cold and snow will continue further into the work week, as a slight chance of snow is also possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, although the high temperatures will break 20 degrees on Wednesday.

Here is a more detailed look at the weather for this weekend, with a forecast from the National Weather Service:

• FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow, mainly after 9pm. Low around 5. Wind chill values as low as minus 8. North northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• SATURDAY: Snow, mainly before 3 p.m. High near 13. Wind chill values as low as minus 9. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 4. Wind chill values as low as minus 21. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• SUNDAY: Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 7. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 3.