Overview
- The National Weather Service issued a Snow Squall Warning shortly before 9 a.m. for Kankakee, Will and southeastern Cook counties in Illinois, and Porter, Lake, central Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana.
- Forecasters reported intense bursts of heavy snow with wind gusts up to 50 mph, producing blowing snow and near-whiteout conditions within minutes.
- Travel became especially hazardous along the I-57 and I-65 corridors, where officials cautioned that driving would be extremely difficult until the squall moved through.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport implemented a ground stop as conditions deteriorated, and local meteorologists urged residents to delay trips.
- The NWS noted that snow squalls are brief 30–60 minute events that can cause flash freezes and multi-vehicle crashes despite little overall accumulation.