Winter Storm Warning Issued for Illinois and Wisconsin

A mid-February winter storm is closing in on the upper-midwest that could dump more than 8 inches of snow in parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin beginning late tonight (Wednesday 2/15).

How much snow is expected on Thursday?

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING for the Rockford region, heavy snow showers will begin to develop overnight tonight and continue through Thursday (2/16) with 4 to 7 inches expected by Thursday night.

Wind gusts could surpass 40 mph on Wednesday as the front moves through the region, with reading already reported early this morning at Rockford-Chicago International Airport close to 60 mph, according to WindAlert.

Johnny Vincent

How much snow will Chicago get?

Around the Chicagoland area, 4 to 7 inches of snow accumulation is expected by Thursday night with windy conditions expected into the weekend.

Once the winter storm moves through, temperatures will remain in the mid-20s on Friday with mostly sunny skies before eventually rebounding into the lower 40s on Saturday.

Heavy snow is expected in Beloit, Janesville, and Madison

In Wisconsin, the snowfall amounts are expected to be more significant with a Winter Storm Watch in effect through Thursday evening (2/16). 5 to 8 inches of snow accumulation is possible in south-central and southeastern Wisconsin.

Higher amounts of snowfall are possible throughout Wisconsin with wind gusts around 35 mph possible.

Get our free mobile app

Another potential snowstorm following Nova may be coming next week

According to the current forecast from the Weather Channel, there could be another 6+ inches of snow accumulation coming in the middle of next week.

The extended forecast from the Weather Channel currently shows a significant chance of heavy snowfall beginning next Tuesday (2/21) and continuing through Thursday (2/23) for the Rockford area with 1-3 inches possible each day.

To see the current roadway conditions throughout Illinois, CLICK HERE.

Wisconsin road conditions are available by clicking HERE.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Filed Under: Winter Weather Advisory