Overview
- A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for LaPorte County, Indiana, until noon Thursday with forecast totals of 5–12 inches, while Porter County is under a Winter Weather Advisory until 9 a.m. Thursday for roughly 2–6 inches.
- Forecasters expect the most persistent lake-effect bands to intensify overnight and fade by mid to late Thursday morning, with lows in the teens and wind chills near zero.
- Wednesday morning snow squalls brought whiteout conditions and wind gusts over 40 mph, with localized totals of about 1–2.5 inches reported at sites including Arlington Heights, Garfield Park, and O’Hare.
- A ground stop at O’Hare International Airport lasted until 8:45 a.m., and hazardous conditions contributed to numerous crashes in southern Wisconsin, including a shutdown on I-94 west near Oconomowoc.
- After the lake-effect event, a quick-moving system is expected Thursday evening with an additional 1–2 inches across much of Chicagoland, followed by scattered snow chances Friday and Saturday and a stretch of colder days.