Chicago snow timeline: How much snow could fall and when as storm moves across Midwest

A winter snowstorm moving through central Minnesota and western Wisconsin will gradually creep into Illinois Thursday afternoon, the NBC 5 Storm Team said. The snow prompted winter storm warnings and advisories across the Midwest -- including in Racine and Kenosha Counties -- with as much as seven inches of snow and hazardous travel possible.

While the snow won't pack as much of a punch once it arrives in the Chicago area, it could come just in time for the Thursday afternoon and Friday morning commutes, leading to slick and slippery roads.

In addition to the snow, temperatures in the Chicago area will get colder, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, with temperatures in the 30s Thursday and Friday and dipping into the 20s this weekend before a warm-up arrives next week.

Snow timeline

According to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman, Thursday in the Chicago area started out mostly dry and chilly, with some flurries across far western Illinois.

"Later today, that will change," Roman said, of the expected snow to move in.

By early Thursday afternoon, a rain-snow mix will develop, Roman said. Beginning around 4 p.m., the wintry mix will transition to all snow, with scattered snow showers expected for the majority of the area.

Periods of snow between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. could lead to slippery travel Thursday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service warned, with reduced visibility. The best chance for snow or slush on the roads will be north of I-90, the NWS said.

Late Thursday, snow was expected to mix with drizzle. Around 3 a.m., another wave of snow showers will move in, Roman said, continuing into early to mid-morning on Friday, leaving to potential commute impacts.

"Slick roads will be possible," Roman said.

According to the NWS, the highest chance of heavier snow is from Rockford to the Chicago metro area, and into Northwest Indiana.

Late Friday morning, most snow showers will come to an end, except around Lake Michigan, where lake effect snow continues. The lake effect snow will shift east into Northwest Indiana Friday afternoon and evening, with heavy accumulations possible.

How much snow could we get?

Snow totals to the south and southeast will be lower, Roman said, with up to one inch of snow possible. In counties to the north, especially along the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, two inches or more of snow could fall.

In Northwest Indiana however, even higher totals were expected. According to Roman, lake effect snow near Valparaiso could result in as much as six inches of accumulation by Friday night.

Will Chicago have a ‘White Christmas'?

According to the NWS, a holiday is considered a “White Christmas” when there is at least one inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25.

But there haven't been many of those in Chicago in recent years. According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, we’ve only had three since 2010, with the most recent occurring in 2022.

According to Roman, the Chicago area expects to see above average temperatures from Dec. 25 through Dec. 31, with a partly sunny and dry Christmas Day. Temperatures by Christmas Day will be in the 40s, Roman said, warming into the upper 40s to near 50 by the end of next week.