A slick and perhaps hazardous Friday morning commute is forecast as overnight freezing drizzle combines with snowfall, the National weather Service warned.
Wintry Mix to Bring Travel Troubles
A combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to create challenging travel conditions, notably east of I-39.
- Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible overnight through Friday morning.
- The highest snowfall rates, around 1 inch per hour, are anticipated between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday.
- motorists are advised to allow extra travel time Friday morning.
- Wind gusts up to 40 mph could reduce visibility Friday night.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says a “wintry mix†will build upon a potential “glaze of ice†left by freezing drizzle, making roads slick and travel hazardous. There’s even a roughly 10% chance of additional slick spots developing overnight from freezing drizzle or mist.
What’s the expected snowfall total? Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible Thursday night, beginning after 2 a.m. and continuing until 9 a.m. Friday. The heaviest snowfall — peaking around 1 inch an hour — is expected between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., according to NWS.
“Motorists are urged to plan for extra time to reach their destination Friday morning,†NWS advised. The worst road conditions are expected east of Interstate 39.
Scattered snow showers are also predicted after 3 p.m. Friday, with less than half an inch of new accumulation. While temperatures are expected to rise above freezing Friday for the first time in weeks, a drop in temperatures is anticipated in the evening, with wind chill values potentially reaching one degree below freezing.
NWS also cautioned that wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour Friday night could lead to localized poor visibility, particularly east of the Fox River and into Northwest Indiana.
