WWUS43 KLOT 291929
WSWLOT
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
129 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
ILZ104-105-300530-
/O.NEW.KLOT.WW.Y.0006.260130T1500Z-260130T2100Z/
/O.EXB.KLOT.WS.A.0001.260130T2100Z-260131T1200Z/
Central Cook-Southern Cook-
Including the cities of Chicago, Calumet City, La Grange, Oak
Lawn, Lemont, Orland Park, Cicero, Oak Forest, Park Forest, and
Oak Park
129 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM CST FRIDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT...
* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow
accumulations 2 to 3 inches, within a few hour period. For the
Winter Storm Watch, heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow
accumulations locally in excess of 6 inches possible, mainly near
Lake Michigan.
* WHERE...Central Cook and Southern Cook Counties.
* WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 9 AM to 3 PM CST
Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Friday afternoon through
late Friday night.
* IMPACTS...Roads will likely become slick and hazardous. The
hazardous conditions will likely impact parts of the Friday
commutes. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and
blowing snow.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A burst of accumulating snow is expected mid
to late Friday morning through early afternoon. The snow during
this period may briefly fall at a rate of up to an inch per hour
and make for slick travel conditions. Then, later Friday afternoon
and evening, an intense band of heavy lake effect snow will
develop over southern Lake Michigan, and may impact portions of
central and southern Cook county near the lake for a period Friday
evening before focusing eastward into northwestern Indiana later
Friday night. While the residence time of this lake effect band
over Cook county may only be 3 to 5 hours, the potential for heavy
snow rates of 2+ inches per hour could result in localized
accumulations exceeding 6 inches, particularly near the lake from
the city southward.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally
heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can
also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather,
visibility, and road conditions.
&&
$$
ILZ006-013-103-300530-
/O.NEW.KLOT.WW.Y.0006.260130T1500Z-260130T2100Z/
Lake IL-DuPage-Northern Cook-
Including the cities of Northbrook, Lombard, Mundelein, Buffalo
Grove, Waukegan, Carol Stream, Des Plaines, Wheaton, Gurnee,
Evanston, Downers Grove, Palatine, Naperville, and Schaumburg
129 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM CST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 2 to 3 inches,
within a few hour period.
* WHERE...DuPage, Lake IL, and Northern Cook Counties.
* WHEN...From 9 AM to 3 PM CST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Roads will likely become slick and hazardous.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A burst of accumulating snow is expected mid
to late Friday morning through early afternoon. The snow during
this period may briefly fall at a rate of up to an inch per hour
and make for slick travel conditions.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road
conditions for Illinois can be obtained at
www.gettingaroundillinois.com.
&&
$$
INZ001-002-300530-
/O.CON.KLOT.WS.A.0001.260130T2100Z-260201T0000Z/
Lake IN-Porter-
Including the cities of Merrillville, Hammond, Gary, Valparaiso,
Chesterton, and Portage
129 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow with total snow accumulations over 6
inches possible. The heaviest snow is expected to impact areas
near and north of US Route 30.
* WHERE...Lake IN and Porter Counties.
* WHEN...From Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The dangerous conditions
could impact the Friday evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...An initial period of accumulating snow is
expected Friday morning. However, the main window for the heaviest
snowfall is expected Friday evening through Saturday morning. Some
breaks in the snowfall are possible at times as the snow band may
wobble Friday night and Saturday.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally
heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can
also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather,
visibility, and road conditions.
&&
$$
Birk