Downgraded Winter Weather Advisory: 2-5 Inches Of Snow Expected

ILLINOIS — A day after forecasts calling for snowfall totals in excess of 6 inches for much of northern Illinois, winter weather advisories for the Chicago area have again been downgraded. The National Weather Service on Tuesday evening said snowfall of 2 to 5 inches — possibly less — is expected for much of the Chicago area, with the heaviest snow falling in northwest Indiana.

Winter weather advisories are in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Wednesday for Cook, Will, DuPage, Grundy, Kendall and LaSalle counties, which could now get an anticipated 2 to 3 inches of snow.

When: Snow accumulation was expected to begin early Tuesday evening and end Wednesday afternoon, with the most significant impact coming during the Wednesday morning commute. On Tuesday morning, the NWS was calling for periods of heavy, wet snow, but by late afternoon said it could come "at a decent clip." Drivers should expect slippery road conditions.

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How much snow: The best chance for heavier accumulation of 2 to 5 inches is expected east of I-55 and into northwest Indiana. There could be a "sharper drop off" in the amount of snowfall expected in most of Chicagoland, the National Weather Service said. Much of the area — including Cook, Will, DuPage and Kendall counties and areas including Chicago, Joliet, Plainfield and Naperville — could see 2 to 3 inches, possibly less, the NWS said. Further west, including Elgin and DeKalb, and in the far north suburbs, less than 1 inch of snow could fall.

Visibility: Drivers are urged to use extreme caution, as wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph with blowing and drifting snow could make for low visibility.

Other impacts: Snowfall parking rules will likely take effect in many suburban towns. Any school closings or late starts will be posted to the Emergency Closing Center. A lakeshore flood warning is also in effect until 3 p.m. Wednesday for Cook and Lake counties, with wind gusts of 40 mph and waves of 8 to 12 feet expected to produce flooding along Lake Michigan. "The winds and large battering waves combined with record high lake levels will exacerbate already significant beach and shoreline erosion sustained in the past several months," the National Weather Service said, adding flooding could threaten roads and low-lying parks along the lake.

Check back with Patch for snowfall updates.