- Credibility:
DOWNTOWN — Two back-to-back storms could drop more than a foot of snow on Chicago this weekend, as it could start before the evening rush.
A winter storm warning goes into effect 3 p.m. Friday, when the first storm is expected to hit, and will last until noon Saturday. The National Weather Service is predicting 5-9 inches of snow during that time period and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
The second blast of snow on Saturday could drop another 5 inches, the National Weather Service said.
The strong wind could blow snow, meaning it could become hard to see outside, according to the National Weather Service.
“A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible,” according to the National Weather Service’s warning. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
The first snowstorm will start in the afternoon Friday, possibly in time for the evening rush home, said Amy Seeley, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Those who are north of I-88 could “have a harder commute home,” Seeley said.
That storm will last through Saturday morning, and the snowfall will be “pretty steady through the whole” storm, Seeley said. The National Weather Service warned the city could see about 1 inch of snow per hour.
Then, on Saturday night, lake effect snow could mean another 6 inches of snow for the city through Sunday morning, Seeley said.
Winds will be “blustery” on Saturday night with gusts as high as 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures will be low, too, with a high around 30 degrees on Friday, Seeley said. They’ll dip to the upper 20s on Saturday and low 20s Sunday.
But wind chill means it could feel as cold as 15 below zero on Saturday and Sunday nights, Seeley said.
More snow is expected next week — in fact, there’s a chance for snow every day through Wednesday, though it’s too far out to see how bad those storms will be, Seeley said.
The CTA will operate as usual over the weekend and on Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The No. 19 and 50 buses will provide extra service for United Center games:
- 7 p.m. Saturday: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
- 11:30 a.m. Sunday: Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- 6:30 p.m. Sunday: University of Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame hockey game
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday: New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- 7 p.m. Wednesday: Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls
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