Posted on 01/31/2011 4:52:45 AM PST by sleeper-has-awakened
Chicago meteorologists plan to bring cots and a change of clothes to work this week as a massive blizzard is expected to dump up to 20 inches of snow starting Tuesday.
A blizzard watch will be in effect starting Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for all of northeastern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.
Current forecasts predict about 20 inches of snow for portions of southern Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties and 18 inches for most of northeastern Illinois.
“I wouldn't want to be trying to get anywhere,” said Bill Nelson, Observation Program Leader for the National Weather Service. “We are planning on bringing in a couple of cots in case we get stuck.”
Light snow is expected to begin falling Monday night, but the heavy snowfall will begin falling midday Tuesday and through Wednesday afternoon.
Meteorologists predict the blizzard will produce whiteout conditions as 40 to 45 mph winds combine with snow falling at a pace of 2 to 4 inches per hour during portions of the storm, Nelson said.
The biggest storm to ever hit Chicago totaled 23 inches in 1967, but meteorologists predict the upcoming blizzard might break records.
“If everything pans out like we think right now, it will be right there at the top,” Nelson said.
The storm is expected to die down early Wednesday afternoon, but lake effect snow might persist into Wednesday night on the Illinois side of the lake before shifting into northwestern Indiana.
The weather service said the heavy snowfall combined with high winds could create whiteout conditions, particularly on Tuesday night into Wednesday, making driving extremely dangerous in some areas. Snow drifts of 5 feet to 10 feet are possible. The service said winds on Tuesday could reach up to 60 mph in open areas and near Lake Michigan.
Once the storm has moved through, bitterly cold temperatures are expected to grip much of the region.
Meteorologists warn of “nearly impossible” travel conditions during the peak of the storm Tuesday afternoon and night and airlines have taken precautionary measures as forecasts come in.
Multiple airlines are relaxing their rebooking policies by offering travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly to from or through O'Hare International Airport between Tuesday and Thursday.
Only two Chicago snowstorms have ever topped 20 inches, with the last occurring in 1999 when 21.6 inches fell between Jan. 1 and 3.
“As they say, stay tuned,” Nelson said.
Al Gore must be spending the week in the Midwest. I was going to fly to Kansas City from Indianapolis this morning until I saw this mess. Now I’m trying to get there Thursday.
Looks like we’ll get a couple inches tonight with the bulk of the snow coming on Tuesday night.
Yikes...the icy-mix runs right thru my state..and we’re going to get hit!
It will however be fun for those of us who don't live in the welfare belt seeing all of those Democrats in Chicago and Detroit who voted for people who want to destroy the economy for the "globull warming" lie slip and slide on the ice and snow. And maybe a few tear jerker stories about the poor welfare recipients who voted for 0 numerous times and are so poor that the only heat they have in their houses/apartments is that given off by their four 55 inch flat screen TVs.
Provided that, as you say, it all isn't just total BS from some climate type trying to get a few minutes of fame.
Does anyone remember the story about the cute female news anchor who upon talking to the station meteorologist the morning after he forcasted a snow storm that didn't materialize say "Hey (name) where's that nine inches you promised me last night?"
Cities. Glad I don’t live in or anywhere near one.
Make that welfare cities. The GOP takeover of Michigan was unprecedented.
How can this be?????! What about globull warming????? Where is algore, that fat-headed loon, to explain this?
Exactly. I’m about 70 miles west of Detroit and that’s close enough. We’ll be fine in my little town.
I remember the storm of 1967. I was too young to worry about grown up things, but my dad wasn’t cowering in fear. He just sent us kids out to clear the sidewalk and we played. We didn’t lose electricity and I think the roads were clear with-in two days (maybe the next day). That being said, of course there was enough snow that I remember it to this day, so it was a bit crazy.
Rockford is predicting some pretty fair accumulation, but not that high. The problem is, winds in the 45 mph range on Wednesday.
My wife works in Rockford (we live 31 miles South). She was scheduled off today but changed it and went in. Picking up groceries on the way home. She plans to stay home the next couple days.
Cripplecreek should since it was on WILX in his home town. Andy Provenzano promised the female co-anchor (forgot her name) some snow by saying, “I promise you’ll get at least 6 inches tonight.”
October baby boom?
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