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.
LOL! Say it, brother!
Last I looked Detroit was still run by black democrats whose sole mission in life is to loot as much money as possible from the taxpayers and give it to their supporters and cronies. The governor is now R and Michigan has about three new Rep congressional seats that were formerly Dems. Is this what you mean by a GOP takover?
Get out the beer, cheese, brats and snowmobiles!
IT'S PARTY TIME!!!!!
Thus I understand your mild cynicism, but be prepared.
” I’m about 70 miles west of Detroit and that’s close enough.”
That’s still too close to the People’s Republic of Ann Arbor
You are aware that Detroit doesn’t cover the whole state?
The GOP took over control of the governors mansion, secretary of state, attorney general’s office, 2 supreme court seats, both state house and senate, and a majority of US house seats.
The takeover here was probably greater than anywhere else in the country.
Those weenies don’t come over here.
LOL “The weather pro”
Yes, but you are aware that Detroit is the most visible aspect of Michigan, and that the goings on in Detroit are all anyone outside the state ever hears about?
You must be close to Marshall or thereabouts.
Michigan is loaded with good peeps, once you get out of the cities. I grew up in Holland, was in Marshall for 5 or 6 years by coincidence/chance.
I was born in Albion, grew up in Hanover and now live in the “village” of Norvell. There isn’t even a main road through town.
I remember ‘67 as well. My buddy and I got stuck on County Line Road just south of Hinsdale. The snow built up underneath the car (’66 Olds Toronado) and basically high centered it.
I also remember that after I shoveled our driveway and sidewalks, I did the same for a neighbor. Hey, I was a nice kid and at age 17, was an athelete.
Last month I had to shovel for about 15 minutes and it kicked my butt!
concur
from a native michigander, to a michigan escapee 500 miles west, I have to agree with FOG’s statement. I use the back of my hand alot out here, to illustrate that I am NOT from Detroit, nor the suburbs of same
I lived on the lakefront at the time but did manage to make it to Midway airport on time to make a flight. Unfortunately, all of the flights had been cancelled. Instead I drove back home and went x-country skiing through Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a lot of fun.
eh, I grew up in holland, too. born in albion, moved west to the lakeshore as a lad in 1971. my dad retured from the city of holland as a cop in 1997.
I have family in Marshall, albion, jackson, parma, homer, et al.
small world, eh?
Just looking at the radar right now it’s hard to see it coming.
The funny thing is that Detroit isn’t particularly liberal. Just plain corrupt. Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo are the true liberal hotspots.
I will offer faint praise for Dave Bing. He has shown a willngness to stand up to the unions and has fired a considerable number of “unfirable” city workers.
That part of the world is out of the routine snow belt. I did my engineering undergrad in Valparaiso (Indiana), and that town (and Holland, MI, of my earlier years) got some lake effect snow.
You guys will be dug out just in time to go to the store for the Feast of St. Lombardi on Sunday. Perfect timing!
}:-)4
yes, I know. unfortunately, the thing that everyone outside of michigan associates with michigan is detroit.
the most frequently heard question when people ask where I am from is, “Is holland anywhere near Detroit”, which prompts me to use the back of my hand to illustrate....lol
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