Community Corner

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect Until 10 a.m. Friday for Plainfield

Village public works staff was monitoring the roads Thursday night.

Updated at 12:12 a.m. Dec. 21

The National Weather Service has cancelled a blizzard warning that was in effect, but a winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Dec. 21.

Updated at 1:45 p.m. Dec. 20

Find out what's happening in Plainfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that 500 flights have already been cancelled and more than 700 are delayed at O'Hare airport as the Chicago area braces for snow.

The snow is expected to hit Chicagoland around 3 p.m., with the worst road conditions between 5 and 9 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Plainfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To stay up to date on local road conditions, residents can check out the Illinois Department of Transportation's "Getting Around Illinois" website, or click here for Patch's real-time traffic updates.

Updated at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 20

A winter storm warning is in effect for Will County from 3 p.m. Thursday until 3 a.m. Friday, with the National Weather Service warning of reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting snow. The winter storm watch is no longer in effect.

Rain is expected to change to snow late Thursday afternoon, with snow becoming heavy at times. The lowest visibility is expected to occur in the Chicago metro area from 5 to 9 p.m., with snow lingering through Thursday night.

Updated at 3 a.m. Dec. 20:

The National Weather Service is predicting snowfall totals of two to six inches in the Plainfield area, "with higher amounts more favored to be in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago."

Snowfall totals could be higher if thundersnow occurs, according to the weather service. 

Winds could increase to 30 to 40 mph by late Wednesday afternoon, with the potential for gusts of 50 to 60 mph by Thursday night. 

A winter storm watch will be in effect from Thursday evening until late Thursday night.

"The combination of the snow and very strong winds will result in greatly reduced visibilities and possibly near-blizzard conditions," according to the winter weather outlook. "Falling temperatures will cause roads to become snow covered and travel treacherous," affecting the evening rush hour.

Updated at 1 p.m. Dec. 19:

The National Weather Service is predicting one to four inches of snow for the Will County area.

However, there is also the potential for thundersnow, according to the NWS, which could lead to heavier snowfall.

Updated at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 19:

According to the Northern Illinois Stormchaser Forecasting Facebook page, the Chicago area could get "thundersnow," which could lead to heavier snowfall.

"Intense thundersnow will boost rates and totals over the area," the status states. "Chicago metro could get 3 inches south to 6 north all being blown around by 60 mph winds."

Updated at 11:10 a.m. Dec. 19:

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Thursday evening and night for Will County.

Thursday could bring rain, thunderstorms, snow, ice and strong winds that could cause near-blizzard/whiteout conditions in some areas.

Motorists are reminded to to use extreme caution while traveling Thursday afternoon and night. 

Updated at 10 a.m. Dec. 19:

According to the Joliet Weather Center, rain and thunderstorms are heading Will County's way on Wednesday night.

As the day progresses Thursday, the rain will become mixed with snow and then eventually change to snow, the weather center said. 

"The system will also bring with it very strong, potentially damaging winds in excess of 50mph. Along with high winds late Thursday and overnight, blowing and drifting snow will be likely. This will cause very hazardous travel conditions throughout northern Illinois," the weather center reported. "... Whenever you have thunder inside a snowstorm, you will always find very intense heavy snow (sometimes brief, but near or at whiteout conditions when it happens). So that is yet another variable we have to look at and consider for tomorrow's storm. If that occurs then our accumulations in Will County may be slightly higher than originally thought."

Updated at 12 p.m. Dec. 18:

The National Weather Service in Romeoville has announced a winter storm warning, cautioning Plainfield-area residents that a "powerful winter storm will move from the southern plains Wednesday to near Chicago Thursday morning and then across the eastern Great Lakes Friday morning."

Several inches of snow could accumulate, and strong winds are likely to develop by Thursday afternoon, continuing into Thursday night with the potential for wind gusts of up to 45 mph.

"These strong winds combined with the falling snow may produce near white-out conditions," according to the National Weather Service. 

Original story:

It's time to get those shovels ready.

Chicago's snow-less streak is expected to end Thursday with a storm that could drop six to 12 inches of snow on the Midwest, according to the Chicago Tribune.

RELATED: CHICAGO AREA'S LACK OF SNOW COULD SET A RECORD

It's unclear at this point which areas will see the most snow but "current models suggest the heaviest snowfall will land to the west of Chicago, from northern Missouri through eastern Iowa, up into Wisconsin," according to the Tribune. 

Plainfield's forecast for Thursday calls for a 70 percent chance of precipitation and rain mixed with snow.

Plainfield is ready for the white stuff, according to village officials, who last week reminded residents of the village's snowplowing policy.

Residents should also remember that, in addition to the village's overnight parking ban, on-street parking is prohibited any time there is snow accumulation of three or more inches until snow has been plowed and removed.

READ: WINTER'S ALMOST HERE; PLAINFIELD PREPS FOR SNOW

The snow has been a long-time coming this winter season. On Sunday, Chicago surpassed the record for latest first measurable snowfall, according to the National Weather Service. The old record was set on Dec. 16, 1965. 

Patch Editor Amie Schaenzer contributed to this report.


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