Chicago weather forecast: Significant snow fall this week, with blizzard conditions Thursday, Friday

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago climate forecast this week exhibits a big winter storm that has the potential to dump upwards of a foot of snow earlier than Christmas.

The Nationwide Climate Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all the Chicago space and northwest Indiana from 6 p.m. Thursday to six a.m. Saturday.

ABC7 Meteorologist Tracy Butler says some gentle snow may start Thursday afternoon, with heaviest snow coming Thursday night time into the day on Friday.

Excessive winds and frigid temperatures may even result in blizzard-like circumstances Thursday night time into Friday morning.

Butler stated the storm may convey a possible of 6 to 12 inches of snow by the weekend, with greater quantities doable additional east from lake-effect snow.

WATCH | Newest 7-day Chicago climate forecast

Excessive winds in extra of 55 mph are anticipated whereas the heaviest snow is falling, ABC7 Meteorologist Larry Mowry stated, including that he expects the Winter Storm Watch will probably be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning or Blizzard Warning later within the week.

“The priority will probably be not solely the snow that is coming down, however the blowing snow, which can cut back visibility,” Mowry stated. “And since the winds will probably be this robust, there may be the specter of energy outages Thursday night time by way of the day on Friday.”

POLAR PLUNGE | 1st week of winter brings snow and bitterly chilly temperatures

Mowry stated the heavy snow and excessive winds will mix to create main journey impacts, with “extraordinarily tough to not possible journey from Thursday night time by way of the day on Friday.”

Temps may even crash from the kids on Friday to single-digits over the weekend, with the excessive winds creating dangerously chilly circumstances. Friday will begins with wind chills as little as -20 and -30, and can keep properly under zero by way of the day, Mowry stated.

The forecast for this week has pressured many vacation vacationers to scramble to alter their plans. Most airways at present have climate waivers in place, which implies you’ll be able to change your flights totally free when you’ve got versatile journey plans.

ComEd making ready for potential energy outages

ComEd says it’s positioning individuals and tools to have the ability to reply rapidly to potential energy outages.

“We’re positioning our individuals and tools to reply rapidly and safely to any interruptions that end result from this snowstorm,” stated Terence Donnelly, president and COO of ComEd. “We notice that any interruption is an inconvenience to our prospects, particularly through the holidays. Avoiding energy outages and restoring service rapidly is crucial. We have now strengthened our system over time to scale back the impacts a storm like this may have on our prospects.”

ComEd prospects can textual content OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report an outage and obtain restoration data in addition to following ComEd on Twitter or on Fb. Clients can even name 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), or report outages by way of the web site at ComEd.com/report or use the ComEd app.

ComEd warns individuals by no means to strategy a downed energy line and to not strategy ComEd crews to ask them about restoration occasions as they might be engaged on reside electrical tools.

Keep tuned to ABC7 Eyewitness Information and ABC7Chicago.com for the most recent forecast and snowfall quantities because the winter storm approaches.

Prepare dinner County Radar DuPage County Radar Will County Radar Lake County Radar (IL) Kane County Radar Northwest Indiana Radar