Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER SOUTHERN IL WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK ACROSS THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY THIS EVENING.IN ASSOCIATION WITH A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WHICH WILL MOVE FROM WESTERN IOWA INTO THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION BY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

AS THIS OCCURS.AN AREA OF RAIN &;MIXED RAIN & WET SNOW ACROSS FAR NORTHERN  IL WILL EXPAND & INCREASE IN INTENSITY THIS EVENING CHANGING TO ALL SNOW FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST THROUGH LATE EVENING.

SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES.ESPECIALLY IN THE HOURS JUST AFTER CHANGEOVER.& MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY THUNDER. THIS ENHANCED BAND OF SNOW WILL BE THE MOST FAVORED LOCATION FOR HIGHER SNOWFALL AMOUNTS IN THE 6 TO 7 INCH RANGE. AND AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT AREAS FROM LEE & OGLE COUNTIES EAST INTO DEKALB, KANE, DUPAGE, NORTHERN COOK & SOUTH LAKE COUNTIES MAY HAVE THE GREATEST RISK OF SEEING HEAVIER BANDED SNOW FROM MID EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

THE SNOW WILL GRADUALLY TAPER FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

A New Year's Present From Mother Nature

Apparently we are in line to receive a New Year’s present from Mother Nature--

Low pressure will continue to strengthen as it moves from Lower Michigan into Quebec tonight. The pressure gradient will remain tight on the back side of this low, and combined with much colder air. Westerly winds will remain strong this afternoon and evening. These strong winds will begin to slowly diminish tonight.

Areas Affected:

Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake(I)l-Ogle-Lee-DeKalb-Kane-DuPage-Cook-LaSalle-Kendall-Grundy-Will-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford,-Lake(IN)-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton--

Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Woodstock, Waukegan, Dixon, DeKalb, Aurora, Wheaton, Chicago, Ottawa, Oswego, Morris, Joliet, Kankakee, Pontiac, Watseka, Paxton, Gary, Valparaiso, Morocco, Rensselaer, Fowler.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

1135 AM CST
.Wind Advisory Remains In Effect Until Midnight CST /1 AM EST/Tonight.
* Timing -- Strong Winds Will Continue Through Tonight.

*West Winds Averaging Around 35 MPH Will Be Gusting Up To 45 MPH.

A Few Gusts Around 55 MPH Are Possible.

*Impacts-- smaller tree limbs and power lines may be blown down.
Light weight or unsecured objects can be blown away.

Driving will be difficult -- especially north- south-oriented roads.

High profile vehicles like full size vans, buses and semi-trailers especially if empty or carrying a light load can be prone to being tipped by the higher wind gusts.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions.
A wind advisory means that sustained winds of 30 to 39 MPH or gusts between 45 & 57 MPH are likely. Winds this strong can cause minor property damage unless precautions are taken.

Driving may be difficult especially in high profile vehicles. Motorists should be alert & use caution.