Chicago Weather

Could an ice storm be headed for Chicago area and Illinois? What to expect

According to the National Weather Service, an ice storm occurs when an area has freezing rain with accumulations of a quarter inch of ice or greater

NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Editor's note: The weather forecast for Wednesday has shifted, with winter weather expected to hit later Wednesday evening. Our updated weather stories can be found here. Our original story continues below:

Freezing rain, sleet and icy conditions are expected to overspread across the Chicago area Wednesday as a winter weather system moves across parts of Midwest and the Northeast.

The system, which NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman described as "significant," will also bring ice accumulation to areas of Michigan, northern Indiana and Ohio, the National Weather Service said. But officials have yet to call the incoming system an "ice storm."

The wintry mix could start in the early afternoon Wednesday, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, with some flurries forming earlier in the day. The main event however isn't expected to come until until the evening hours Wednesday, towards the end of the afternoon and evening commute.

According to NBC 5 Meteorologist Iisha Scott, the mix will be a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow.

"Freezing rain will be the biggest issue," Scott said, of the conditions expected.

The system could also bring ice accumulations, Scott said, with up to a tenth-of-an-inch of ice in some parts, and a half-inch of snow or sleet possible in others.

"At least some travel impacts likely areawide," the NWS said, with slick, slippery road conditions lingering into early Thursday.

Will Chicago see an ice storm?

According to the NWS, an ice storm occurs when an area has freezing rain with accumulations of a quarter inch of ice or greater. Wednesday's system is not expected to amount to that, Scott said.

 "I don’t think we’ll get that much because we don’t have a lot of moisture associated with this system," Scott added.

Ice storms also often consist of heavy, widespread ice that take down trees and powerlines, Scott said, but those impacts are not likely to occur Wednesday.

Still, roads could be slick, and driving conditions could be impacted due to the ice, Scott said.

"While the ice will be light, it could still create slippery travel late Wednesday into early Thursday," Scott warned.

Contact Us