Winter storm to unload on Chicago Friday

CHICAGO - A significant winter storm bears down on the Chicago area Friday, but there remain oodles of uncertainties regarding how much of what and where.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Chicago viewing area with the exception of Lake and McHenry counties Friday starting at 6 a.m. That’s going to change to either a warning or advisory, and it’s entirely possible that counties not in the watch end up with something.  

Rain will be starting from the south toward daybreak then magically change to heavy, wet snow through a process called evaporative cooling.

The morning commute will be least impacted by the storm with heavier precipitation in the afternoon and evening. There is a potential for more than 6 inches of snow in our viewing area, but I am very skeptical about some of the computer models which show 10-14 inches here.

CHICAGO WEATHER: SIZING UP SNOWFALL FOR FRIDAY

The axis of heaviest snow may not reveal itself until Friday quite honestly. Winds will be strong, with gusting up to 45 mph, but due to the heavy nature of the snow, blowing snow should not be an issue.

Should the heavier totals materialize, trees and power lines could be at risk due to the weight of the snow.

"Additionally, the heavy, wet nature of snow combined with the strong winds will lead to a potential for scattered power outages where the heaviest snow falls," according to the weather service’s online posts.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications "is monitoring the incoming storm system with the National Weather Service and will coordinate the city’s response," said Mary May, an OEMC spokeswoman.

May encouraged residents to get the new OEMC app, available at www.flowcode.com/page/chicagooemcapp.

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Thursday is much cooler than recent days with highs not far from 40 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. No issues Thursday night. The weekend features highs mainly in the 40s to aid in the melting process. There could also be a rain shower Monday.