A winter storm has set its sights on the Chicago area, leading to thousands of flight cancellations, school closures and the early end to a number of festivities ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Experts say strong wind gusts of up to 55 mph, wind chills as low as -35 degrees and potentially measurable snow will make for dangerous conditions.
Here's a look at our coverage throughout the day, and a link to the latest forecast that will cover the overnight hours:
Focus Turns to Dangerous Cold, Ferocious Wind as Winter Storm Continues in Chicago Area
While snow will slowly taper off in most locations around the Chicago area, the focus will soon turn to the dangerous cold and ferocious winds that will grip the region in the coming days.
A winter storm warning will remain in effect for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana through Saturday morning, not because of snow but because of wind chills plunging to nearly 40 degrees below zero and wind gusts in excess of 40 miles per hour.
Snow will continue in parts of northwest Indiana, including Porter and LaPorte counties. In LaPorte County, a “travel warning” has been issued, with residents asked to stay off roads because of dangerous conditions.
Those treacherous travel conditions will continue overnight across the entire region, with near-whiteout conditions expected as strengthened winds blow around snow and cause drifting and visibility issues on roadways.
You can read the full forecast here.
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First Snowfall Total Reports Roll In
Chicago received nearly two inches of snow as of 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Here is the first batch of snow total reports from Thrusday's storm.
Cook County:
Chicago (Douglas Park) – 1.5 inches
Chicago (Midway International Airport) – 1.6 inches
Chicago (O’Hare International Airport) – 1.1 inches
Kane County:
St. Charles – 2 inches
LaSalle County:
Mendota – 2 inches
Streator – 2.5 inches
Will County:
Romeoville (NWS Chicago Office) – 2.3 inches
Winnebago County:
Rockford Airport – 1.5 inches
Travel Warning Issued For LaPorte County as Conditions Continue to Worsen in Northwest Indiana
A travel warning has been issued for LaPorte County in Northwest Indiana by officials, the highest possible warning threshold.
Under a travel warning, individuals are directed to refrain from all travel while complying with any emergency measures. A travel warning is instituted so travel is restricted to emergency management workers.
Blowing Snow Likely in Rural Areas as Winds Continue to Pick Up
The NWS office in Chicago tweeted out a video showing the dangers of blowing snow while driving in this winter storm, with rural areas at a particularly high risk:
Indiana Officials Issue Travel Watch For 3 Northwest Indiana Counties
Indiana officials have issued a travel watch for Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, meaning that current conditions are "threatening to the safety of the public," as several crashes have been reported across the area with conditions continuing to worsen.
During a watch, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended from state officials.
The watch adds that emergency plans should be implemented by businesses and government agencies.
Additionally, another crash involving a jack-knifed semi was reported in Northwest Indiana.
According to Total Traffic, the crash has shut down northbound State Road 49 between State Road 2/LaPorte Avenue and Vale Park Road/County Road 400N in Valparaiso. There is currently no information on any potential injuries.
Accident Closes Part of Eastbound I-94 in Porter County
According to Total Traffic, an accident involving a jack-knifed semitruck has shut down eastbound I-94 in Porter County, Indiana between State Road 49 and Brummitt Road at mile marker 28. It is unknown if there are any injuries related to this crash.
IDOT Reminds Drivers to Stay Clear of Plow Trucks
As plow truck drivers and transportation workers aim to keep roads clear, IDOT is reminding drivers to stay clear of working plow trucks.
Snow Tapers Off as Wind Chills Drop and Gusty Winds Continue
The NWS office in Chicago provided another update at 6 p.m., noting that while snowfall will taper off across the region, gusty winds will stick around as wind chill values continue to drop:
Visibility Drops to Extremely Low Levels in Chicago
A video taken by NBC 5's Evrod Cassimy shows very low levels of visibility in downtown Chicago, echoing the dangerous travel conditions seen throughout the area and state:
Amtrak Drastically Cuts Service in Chicago Area as Storm Arrives
Trains on numerous Amtrak lines servicing Chicago, including the Hiawatha, Saluki, Southwest Chief and more have been canceled because of inclement weather in the Midwest, the agency says.
You can find a full list of impacted lines, and links to Amtrak's online trip-planning services, here.
IDOT Warns Most of State Dealing With Snow, Ice on Roadways
Shortly before 4:30 p.m., IDOT warned that nearly all of Illinois is dealing with snow and ice on roadways, providing widespread dangerous travel conditions.
NWS Notes Bitter Cold Temperatures Will Continue to Push Into the Region
CTA Buses Rerouted Off DuSable Lake Shore Drive Due to High Winds
CTA buses have now been rerouted off DuSable Lake Shore Drive just before 4 p.m. due to intensifying winds off Lake Michigan.
The agency confirmed in a 4 p.m. update that all eight train lines continue to operate.
Blizzard Warning Takes Effect For 2 Northwest Indiana Counties As Conditions Worsen
A blizzard warning is now in effect for Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana, with a winter storm warning now in effect for Lake, Newton and Jasper counties beginning at 3 p.m.
A view from an Illinois Department of Transportation truck near Peoria shows rapidly decreasing visibility heading into the evening commute:
According to the National Weather Service, quick accumulation in Northwest Indiana is expected:
Accident on Eastbound I-94 West of Washington Street Leaves 2 Lanes Blocked
An accident on eastbound I-94 at mile marker 9.3 has led to blockage of the two left lanes, causing significant delays in the area.
Officials said that one person was hospitalized with injuries from the crash.
Wind Chills Thursday Night Could Feel 70 Degrees Colder Than Thursday Morning
NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Paul Deanno notes that wind chills at Midway International Airport could reach -36 degrees tonight, feeling 70 degrees colder than the 34-degree temperatures of Thursday morning.
Despite this development, unseasonably warm temperatures are likely on the way for New Year's weekend:
1 p.m. Storm Update
NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Paul Deanno gives the latest update on what to expect.
Morton Arboretum Cancels Popular "Illumination: Tree Lights"
"Due to the anticipated unsafe weather conditions," the Morton Arboretum has canceled its "Illumination: Tree Lights" for Thursday.
DuPage County Forest Preserves Close Due to Weather
"With dangerously cold temperatures forecast for the region, all Forest Preserve District of DuPage County forest preserves and buildings will be closed and programs canceled on Friday, Dec. 23," the forest preserve district announced.
Field Museum to Close Early
The Field Museum announced around 1 p.m. Thursday that it will close early, shutting its doors at at 2 p.m. The museum will remain closed on Friday as well "due to extreme weather conditions."
The Field Museum said it will be open Christmas Eve and plans to resume regular hours on Dec. 26.
Track the Storm as It Moves Through
The NBC 5 Storm Team is tracking conditions across the area live in the above video stream, offering a current look at everything from snowfall totals to wind speeds to plummeting temperatures. Check to see what's happening in your area by watching above. These images will continue to cycle through and will update periodically as the situation unfolds.
For a look specifically at the snow as it makes its way in, check the interactive radar here.
Chicago Botanic Gardens
The Chicago Botanic Gardens announced it will close Friday and that its popular Lightscape will be canceled for both Thursday and Friday, "due to the current weather forecast."
Ticket holders can expect an email if their event was canceled.
McHenry County Government Offices Closing
McHenry County government offices will close at noon on Thursday, a press release said, sue do "life-threatening winter storm conditions." According to officials, offices will remain closed Friday as well.
A winter storm warning for McHenry county as well as other western counties in the Chicago area went into effect Thursday at 9 am.
The warning will go into effect for other parts of the Chicago area at noon.
Secretary of States Offices, Drivers License Facilities to Close Early
Due to travel warnings and hazardous road conditions issued by both the National Weather Service and the Illinois State Police, "all Secretary of State offices and Driver Services facilities will be closed at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22," a release from the state says.
Secretary of State offices and facilities will reopen after the holiday weekend on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Shedd Aquarium Closing Early
The Shedd Aquarium has announced it will close at 2 p.m. Thursday due to "inclement weather."
"Any guests impacted by this early closure will be emailed with options to rebook their tickets for another day," a press release from the aquarium said.
Winter Storm Warning Begins for Some Counties
Several Chicago-area counties are now under a winter storm warning, which began at 9 a.m. Those counties include: McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, LaSalle, Kendall and Grundy.
The warning will take effect in Lake, DuPage, Kankakee, Cook and Will counties in Illinois at noon and in Lake, Newton and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana starting at 3 p.m. CT.
It will remain in effect across the area until 6 a.m. Saturday.
Porter County, Indiana will see a blizzard warning beginning at 3 p.m. CT Thursday and continuing until 6 a.m. Saturday.
Chicago-Area Schools Announce Closures
A number of schools in the Chicago area announced closures Thursday due to the impending winter storm.
Morton Grove School District 69 in Skokie said its schools would be closed Thursday "due to the Winter Storm Warning currently issued for the Chicagoland area that predicts hazardous travel conditions for Thursday afternoon during our school dismissal times"
Fairview School District 72 said because of hazardous travel conditions expected Thursday afternoon, its schools would also be closed.
Dozens of other schools across the area have announced closures or switches to e-learning. For a full list click here.
Over 820 Chicago Flights Canceled Ahead of Winter Storm
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, approximately 2.9 million travelers are expected to pass through O'Hare and Midway International Airports between Dec. 21 and Jan. 2.
"We have 500 staff members who are ready to work 24/7, and 350 pieces of snow removing equipment," said Karen Pride, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Aviation said. "Lots of salt and lots of de-icer for the roadways. The airlines are prepared to de-ice their aircraft."
Although the airports preparations are underway, FlyChicago.com as of 7:10 p.m. Thursday reports over 820 flights in and out of O'Hare International and Midway Airports have already been canceled due to weather impacts in the Midwest and across the country.
See the latest updates here.
Christkindlmarket, Lincoln Park Zoo, Planetarium
The winter storm has sparked a flurry of closures for businesses, including major holiday attractions like the Christkindlmarket and Gallagher Way's Winterland.
Adler Planetarium announced closures will be in effect due "forecasted snowy and blizzard-like weather conditions, along with dangerously cold temperatures." To keep staff and potential visitors home, the planetarium said it will be closed Friday and Saturday.
Weather conditions have also prompted the Christkindlmarket to shift its hours of operation for all three of its locations, two of which are set to cap their seasonal run this week. The marketplaces in Chicago and Aurora will close early at 4 p.m. Thursday. This will be the last day visitors can stop by the sites in 2022. The front in Wrigleyville will not operate at all Thursday.
Lincoln Park Zoo and its popular holiday light show, ZooLights, will not operate Friday.
The Latest on Timing of Upcoming Winter Storm
Latest forecast models show snow and blowing snow may result in "white- out conditions" that lead to zero visibility at times, making travel "extremely difficult." As dangerous temperatures plummet from 30 degrees to 16 degrees and wind chills as low as 25 to 35 degrees below-zero move in Thursday afternoon, roads are expected to become quickly iced-over.
Conditions for frostbite are expected, and power outages are also a possibility, thanks to wind gusts up to 50 miles-per-hour.
And although the latest snow total predictions remain between three and six inches, with most of it occurring Thursday afternoon and into the evening, the combination of "gusty winds, and plummeting temperatures will make travel conditions treacherous from Thursday afternoon onward," the NWS says.
