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First winter storm of February hits Chicago area with snow, sleet and possibly freezing rain

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Updated  February 16, 2023 9:32pm CST
Weather Forecast
FOX 32 Chicago

First winter storm of February hits Chicago area with snow

The first winter storm of the month hit the Chicago area Thursday with strong gusting winds impacting travel during the evening commute.

CHICAGO - The first winter storm of the month hits the Chicago area Thursday with strong gusting winds impacting travel during the evening commute.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Lake and McHenry counties from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., with 4 to 7 inches of snow possible, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter weather advisory has been issued from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. for Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties, with 1 to 3 inches of snow possible as well as some ice accumulations,

There will be a mix of sleet and snow Thursday morning with perhaps a little rain far south. Minor accumulations before noon with perhaps an inch or two in the northern viewing area during this time.

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There will likely be lull in the intensity of any precipitation during the midday hours followed by mainly snow with some sleet Thursday afternoon.

Snow will continue through the evening depositing about an inch in our far southern viewing area to a half foot near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Metro Chicago could get 2 to 4 inches.

"Plan on slippery road conditions," the weather service warned. "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the morning and afternoon commutes."

The evening rush hour could be the worst as temperatures hover around freezing and the precipitation turns to all snow, the weather service said.

Winds gusts as high as 40 mph are possible and blowing snow will continue overnight with some lake-effect possibly targeting northwest Indiana into early Friday morning.

Friday skies will clear, but it will be cold with highs in the mid to upper 20s. The weekend looks quite nice with a good deal of sun and highs in the 40s.

The weather was contributing to flight cancelations at both Chicago airports Thursday morning. At least 200 flights had been canceled at O’Hare International Airport as of 8 a.m. and more than 100 flights at Midway Airport.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.