After a winter system dumped several inches of snow followed by freezing rain and ice in the Chicago area, another round is possible as the area rings in the New Year.
On New Year's Eve, skies will likely remain cloudy and quiet throughout the morning, then clearing to partly sunny skies by the afternoon. Highs remain near average for this time of year in mid to low 30s.
A strong system is expected to make its move from the south toward northern Illinois late Thursday night and into Friday morning bringing an "accumulating wintry mix" that could include snow, sleet and freezing rain.
In the Chicago area, the morning looks to start off dry but with cloudy skies before the system arrives mid-morning.
Freezing rain possibly mixed with rain or snow will start across far southern counties and continue to move north through the morning hours.
As temperatures warm through the day, the precipitation should continue as a rain and freezing rain mix before colder air moves in by evening, changing it over to all snow.
There could be some minor ice accumulations again, with a tenth or two tenths of an inch possible near the Interstate 80 and Interstate 88 corridors.
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Then as the moisture changes to snow, there could be some minor snow accumulations, with around 1 to 3 inches possible.
Some uncertainty remains with snowfall amounts ahead of the upcoming system.
Snow showers are also possible on Saturday before a warming trend takes hold next week, according to current forecast models.
Check back for more on this developing forecast.
