Alert archive / Illinois / Winter Storm Watches in 2021
Winter Storm Watch 2, NWS Chicago, IL
NWS Chicago, IL issued this winter storm watch at Jan 29, 2021, 3:23 AM CST for 18 counties in Illinois; 5 counties in Indiana. It took effect at Jan 30, 2021, 3:00 PM CST. It was in force for .
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jan 29, 2021, 3:23 AM CST (09:23 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jan 30, 2021, 3:00 PM CST
- Expired
- Jan 30, 2021, 3:27 AM CST
- In force
- Issued by
- NWS Chicago, IL
All 23 counties
Boone County, IL, Cook County, IL, DeKalb County, IL, DuPage County, IL, Ford County, IL, Grundy County, IL, Iroquois County, IL, Kane County, IL, Kankakee County, IL, Kendall County, IL, Lake County, IL, LaSalle County, IL, Lee County, IL, Livingston County, IL, McHenry County, IL, Ogle County, IL, Will County, IL, Winnebago County, IL, Benton County, IN, Jasper County, IN, Lake County, IN, Newton County, IN, Porter County, IN
The radar
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 12 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:25 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 158 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1418 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 74 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -21 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 140 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
662 WWUS43 KLOT 290923 WSWLOT URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 323 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...Heavy Wet Snow and Wind Likely Saturday PM into Early Sunday... ILZ003-004-008-010>012-019>021-023-032-033-039-105>108-INZ001-002- 010-011-019-291730- /O.NEW.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ Winnebago-Boone-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-La Salle-Kendall-Grundy- Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-Southern Cook-Northern Will- Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton- Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Elgin, Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, Marseilles, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Watseka, Gilman, Paxton, Gibson City, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, Beecher, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer, DeMotte, Fowler, and Oxford 323 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 /423 AM EST Fri Jan 29 2021/ ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 30 mph. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, with the most significant impacts late Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$ ILZ005-006-013-103-104-291730- /O.NEW.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ McHenry-Lake IL-DuPage-Northern Cook-Central Cook- Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, and La Grange 323 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 35 mph. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...McHenry, Lake IL, DuPage, Northern Cook and Central Cook Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, with the most significant impacts Saturday evening through early Sunday when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$ Castro/MTF
4 follow-up statements
466 WWUS43 KLOT 291714 WSWLOT URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 1114 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...Heavy Wet Snow and Wind Likely Saturday PM into Early Sunday... ILZ003-004-008-010>012-019>021-023-032-033-039-105>108-INZ001-002- 010-011-019-300115- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ Winnebago-Boone-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-La Salle-Kendall-Grundy- Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-Southern Cook-Northern Will- Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton- Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Elgin, Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, Marseilles, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Watseka, Gilman, Paxton, Gibson City, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, Beecher, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer, DeMotte, Fowler, and Oxford 1114 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 /1214 PM EST Fri Jan 29 2021/ ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 30 mph. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, with the most significant impacts late Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$ ILZ005-006-013-103-104-300115- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ McHenry-Lake IL-DuPage-Northern Cook-Central Cook- Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, and La Grange 1114 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 35 mph. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...McHenry, Lake IL, DuPage, Northern Cook and Central Cook Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, with the most significant impacts Saturday evening through early Sunday when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$
626 WWUS43 KLOT 292038 WSWLOT URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 238 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...Heavy Wet Snow and Wind Likely Saturday PM into Early Sunday... ILZ003-008-010-019-300445- /O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T1800Z-210201T0000Z/ Winnebago-Ogle-Lee-La Salle- Including the cities of Rockford, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, and Marseilles 238 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 30 mph. The snow could begin as a short period of rain or freezing rain Saturday afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Winnebago, Ogle, Lee and La Salle Counties. * WHEN...From noon Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. && $$ ILZ005-006-013-103-104-300445- /O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ McHenry-Lake IL-DuPage-Northern Cook-Central Cook- Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, and La Grange 238 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...McHenry, Lake IL, DuPage, Northern Cook and Central Cook Counties. * WHEN...From 3 PM Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. && $$ ILZ004-011-012-020-021-023-105>108-INZ001-002-300445- /O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ Boone-De Kalb-Kane-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Southern Cook- Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter- Including the cities of Belvidere, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Elgin, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, Beecher, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso, and Chesterton 238 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and north central and northeast Illinois. * WHEN...From 3 PM Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Illinois, the latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. In Indiana, the latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623. && $$ ILZ032-033-039-INZ010-011-019-300445- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-Newton-Jasper-Benton- Including the cities of Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Watseka, Gilman, Paxton, Gibson City, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer, DeMotte, Fowler, and Oxford 238 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 /338 PM EST Fri Jan 29 2021/ ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Period of heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting up to 30 mph. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, with the most significant impacts late Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$
232 WWUS43 KLOT 300310 WSWLOT URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 910 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...Heavy Wet Snow and Wind Likely Saturday PM into Early Sunday... ILZ003-008-010-019-301115- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T1800Z-210201T0000Z/ Winnebago-Ogle-Lee-La Salle- Including the cities of Rockford, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, and Marseilles 910 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting to 30 mph. The snow could begin as a short period of rain or freezing rain Saturday afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Winnebago, Ogle, Lee and La Salle Counties. * WHEN...From noon Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. && $$ ILZ004>006-011>013-020-021-023-103>108-INZ001-002-301115- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee- Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will- Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter- Including the cities of Belvidere, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, La Grange, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, Beecher, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso, and Chesterton 910 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and north central and northeast Illinois, including the Chicago Metro area. * WHEN...From 3 PM Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Illinois, the latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. In Indiana, the latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623. && $$ ILZ032-033-039-INZ010-011-019-301115- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-Newton-Jasper-Benton- Including the cities of Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Watseka, Gilman, Paxton, Gibson City, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer, DeMotte, Fowler, and Oxford 910 PM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 /1010 PM EST Fri Jan 29 2021/ ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Period of heavy wet snow likely along with easterly winds gusting to 30 mph. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Newton, Jasper and Benton Counties in northwest Indiana and Livingston, Ford and Iroquois Counties in central Illinois. * WHEN...Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, with the most significant impacts late Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening when much of the snow is forecast to occur. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Power outages possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. && $$
193 WWUS43 KLOT 300927 WSWLOT URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 327 AM CST Sat Jan 30 2021 ...Heavy Wet Snow and Wind Developing This Afternoon into Tonight... ILZ033-INZ010-011-019-301730- /O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ /O.EXA.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ Iroquois-Newton-Jasper-Benton- Including the cities of Watseka, Gilman, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer, DeMotte, Fowler, and Oxford 327 AM CST Sat Jan 30 2021 /427 AM EST Sat Jan 30 2021/ ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM CST /4 PM EST/ THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 PM CST /7 PM EST/ SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow along with easterly winds gusting to 30 mph. The snow could begin as a short period of rain or freezing rain this afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and locally higher possible, with highest values north. * WHERE...In Indiana, Newton, Jasper and Benton Counties. In Illinois, Iroquois County. * WHEN...From 3 PM CST /4 PM EST/ this afternoon to 6 PM CST /7 PM EST/ Sunday, with the highest impacts this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be dangerous due to the heavy wet snow and strong winds causing very low visibility and snow packed roads. Patchy blowing snow is possible this evening and overnight. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Illinois, the latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. In Indiana, the latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623. Use plenty of extra caution when shoveling heavy snow. Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. && $$ ILZ003-008-010-019-301730- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T1800Z-210201T0000Z/ Winnebago-Ogle-Lee-La Salle- Including the cities of Rockford, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, and Marseilles 327 AM CST Sat Jan 30 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow along with easterly winds gusting to 30 mph. The snow will likely begin as a short period of a mix with rain or freezing rain this afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and locally higher possible. Ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch near and west of Interstate 39. * WHERE...Winnebago, Ogle, Lee and La Salle Counties. * WHEN...From early afternoon today to 6 PM CST Sunday, with the highest impacts late this afternoon through this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Patchy blowing snow is possible this evening and overnight. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. Use plenty of extra caution when shoveling heavy snow. Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. && $$ ILZ004>006-011>013-020-021-023-103>108-INZ001-002-301730- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.W.0002.210130T2100Z-210201T0000Z/ Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee- Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will- Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter- Including the cities of Belvidere, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, La Grange, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, Beecher, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso, and Chesterton 327 AM CST Sat Jan 30 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy wet snow along with easterly winds gusting to 30 to 35 mph. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and locally higher possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and north central and northeast Illinois, including the Chicago Metro area. * WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 6 PM CST Sunday, with the highest impacts this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to very low visibilities and snow packed roads. Patchy blowing snow is possible this evening into Sunday morning. Power outages are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Illinois, the latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. In Indiana, the latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623. Use plenty of extra caution when shoveling heavy snow. Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. && $$ ILZ032-039-301730- /O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.210130T2100Z-210131T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KLOT.WW.Y.0003.210130T2100Z-210131T2100Z/ Livingston-Ford- Including the cities of Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Paxton, and Gibson City 327 AM CST Sat Jan 30 2021 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 3 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Wet snow expected, likely heavy at times late this afternoon and evening. The snow is expected to begin as a mix with rain or freezing rain this afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches with highest values north. Ice accumulations of a glaze possible. * WHERE...Livingston and Ford Counties. * WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 3 PM CST Sunday, with the highest impacts late this afternoon through this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on hazardous, snow covered and slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow is possible this evening, especially for northern sections. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for Illinois can be obtained on the internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. Use plenty of extra caution when shoveling heavy snow. Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. && $$ Castro/MTF
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this winter storm watch went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm watch went out at Jan 29, 2:10 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 2:10 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL 210 AM CST Fri Jan 29 2021 .SHORT TERM... 301 PM CST Through Friday night... Seasonably cold but dry weather will persist through Friday night. Afternoon surface analysis depicts a north-south oriented surface high pressure ridge across Wisconsin and Illinois. The surface ridge will continue to drift slowly east tonight, eventually shifting east of the forecast area Friday morning. The combination of light/calm winds within the ridge axis, a cold/dry low level modified arctic air mass, and the potential for periods of clear to partly cloudy skies will likely set up another chilly night across the region. Mid-level warm advection just upstream of the area was producing patch7 mid and high level clouds this afternoon however, and this scattered cloud cover will spill across the forecast area at times overnight and may keep temps a little milder overall than last night. Even so, lows in the single digits (above zero) are likely across northern IL portions of the cwa where snow cover exists. A few sub-zero readings can't be ruled out if skies clear for an appreciable amount of time. Have trended toward the cooler MAV guidance where snow cover is more prevalent. Temps are expected to moderate a bit more into the upper 20s/low 30s Friday, as the surface ridge moves off to the east of the area, and warm advection increases aloft. Cloud cover will thicken up Friday night, in advance of a disturbance tracking toward the region across the Plains. Along with a modest but persistent southeast wind, this will help keep temps mainly in the 20s through the night. Ratzer && .LONG TERM... 205 AM CST Monday through Thursday... Beyond this weekend's system of interest, the pattern favors continued progressive and fairly deep long waves over North America, aided too by teleconnections. For next week, attention in time may turn to the Thursday-Friday time frame. Despite days 7-8 in the forecast, there is higher than normal confidence in a deep and anomalous system in the Midwest based on consistency in guidance, as well as global ensembles showing higher probabilities in key mass fields. For Monday, lingering clouds from the weekend system's influence are likely, especially lake effect clouds and possibly flurries. This looks like a setup where at least some of the CWA if not most of it may clear during the day going into a 1026+ mb high over fresh snow cover. Have blended a cooler National Blend of Models (NBM) solution into the forecast for highs Monday and lows Monday night with this regime. This does not look like any type of substantial cold for the first day of February by any means, with 850 mb only around -5C (near normal). More sun looks favored Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday as amplifying upper riding is predicted to move over. This ridging is ahead of a deepening western trough which is the aforementioned late week system. With this far in the forecast and active weather this coming weekend, have not gone into detailed analysis of this Plains Low archetype system that is forecast in guidance. It's worth noting though that the EC ensemble (50 members worth) mean MSLP is below 999 mb for Thursday and Thursday night. It's also quicker, more in line with the GFS and Canadian models, as opposed to the operational ECMWF which did slow with the surface low on its 00Z run. The system speed as it possibly moves into the Upper Midwest or Great Lakes region will be important in that it would impact the duration of potential rain, as well as warm sector temperatures and dew points above freezing. These two together if they were to align would be rain on snow melt. This does not scream aggressive melt in current solutions, although a slower ECMWF is a bit more concerning. Will have to keep an eye on this. MTF && .AVIATION... For the 06Z TAFs... No forecast concerns expected this period. High pressure is centered over the area currently and will slowly shift east Friday morning. Light/calm winds will become light east/southeast by daybreak and slowly increase into the 8-10kt range on Friday. Wind speeds are likely to increase further Friday night, into the 10-15kt range with some gusts possible. Mid level cloud cover has developed and spread across the area and mid clouds at various levels can be expected through the period. There is an area of mvfr cigs across central IA shifting northeast with a 3-4kft vfr deck on the leading edge. This cloud cover may get close to rfd before sunrise, but confidence is low. cms && .MARINE... 205 AM CST A Small Craft Advisory has been issued for the weekend with the upcoming system, but its worth noting here that there is a potential for a period of gales in the Illinois nearshore on Saturday evening into overnight. The winds with this system will be southeast during Saturday gradually backing to easterly Saturday night, providing a stiff onshore component. The magnitude of pressure falls occurring Saturday night over the southern part of the lake in this type of setup, especially with some instability over the water, has supported gales before. For now will mention occasional gales in the Illinois nearshore. Also the waves will build significantly to over 8 ft with this type of setup, and potentially to once again 10-12 ft that could linger into Sunday morning. MTF && .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. IN...None. LM...None. && Visit us at weather.gov/chicago Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube at: www.facebook.com/NWSChicago www.twitter.com/NWSChicago www.youtube.com/NWSChicago
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 28, 3:50 PM CST, 11 hours 33 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL 350 PM CST Thu Jan 28 2021 ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002- 010-011-019-292200- Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage- La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford- Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will- Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton- 350 PM CST Thu Jan 28 2021 /450 PM EST Thu Jan 28 2021/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North Central Illinois...Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Limited Excessive Cold Risk. DISCUSSION... Single digit to mid-teen low Temperatures Friday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Friday... Limited Excessive Cold Risk Friday Morning. Saturday Late Afternoon and Night... Significant Snow Risk. Limited Ice Accumulation Risk south of I-80. Limited Lakeshore Flood Risk. Sunday... Elevated Snow Risk. Limited Lakeshore Flood Risk. DISCUSSION: A significant weather system is likely to impact the region late Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Moderate to heavy snow, and significant snow accumulations are possible across at least portions of the area with this storm system. Gusty east to northeast winds could result in a threat for minor lakeshore flooding, mainly Saturday night and into Sunday across the northeast Illinois shore. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight. LMZ740>745-292200- Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL- Wilmette Harbor to Northerly Island IL- Northerly Island to Calumet Harbor IL- Calumet Harbor IL to Gary IN-Gary to Burns Harbor IN- Burns Harbor to Michigan City IN- 350 PM CST Thu Jan 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Illinois nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and the Indiana nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Friday through Wednesday... Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely. BKL Visit us at http://weather.gov/chicago Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube at: www.facebook.com/nwschicago www.twitter.com/nwschicago www.youtube.com/nwschicago
The office that day
Everything else NWS Chicago, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 3:20 AM CST | Small Craft Advisory | LOT | 5 days | |
| Jan 29, 12:07 PM CST | River Flood Advisory | LOT | Winnebago | 21 hr |
| Jan 29, 2:22 PM CST | Gale Warning | LOT | 43 hr | |
| Jan 29, 2:22 PM CST | Small Craft Advisory | LOT | 4 days | |
| Jan 29, 2:38 PM CST | Winter Storm Warning | LOT | Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Iroquois and 10 more | 51 hr |
| Jan 29, 2:43 PM CST | Lakeshore Flood Advisory | LOT | Cook, Lake | 60 hr |
Nearby
Winter Storm Watches in Illinois, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Indiana, 2021Every winter storm watch in 2021
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.