As a wind chill advisory expired, marking what seemed to be an end to the first brutal blast of bitter cold temperatures in the Chicago area, accumulating snow and another burst of dangerous cold loom.
Here's a breakdown of what's ahead
Round 1 of snow
The first round of snow is expected to develop Wednesday night, once again bringing potential accumulations to parts of the region.
"Prepare for periods of low visibility and slippery travel conditions," the NWS warned.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the accumulations range between a dusting south of Interstate 80 to around 2 inches in some northern locations by Thursday morning.
"A few spots could hit 3 inches; enough to impact the morning commute," Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said.
Local
A high temperature of 16 degrees is expected Wednesday Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, with temperatures rising slightly overnight. By Thursday, temperature highs will be in the low 20s, Roman said.
Round 2 of snow
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More widespread snow is expected to develop later Thursday evening.
This round could bring anywhere from 1 to 3 inches to the area, though higher totals are expected in northwest Indiana from lake effect snow Friday.
Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana are under a winter storm watch beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Friday evening in Porter and Saturday morning in LaPorte County.
The alerts warn of snowfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour and strong wind gusts of up to 35 mph, which could result in "blowing and drifting snow, especially near the lakeshore."
Accumulations of up to 8 inches are possible in Porter County and more than a foot of snow could fall in LaPorte County, where a heavy band is likely to set up Friday and Friday night.
"The heaviest snowfall and potential major impacts favor northern LaPorte and southwest Berrien counties where localized amounts may exceed a foot," the alert warns.
Round 2 of cold
Another quick-moving, "arctic blast" will move in Friday through Saturday, keeping wind chill values in the low teens.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, Friday will see wind chills of -10. Saturday will feel like -15, and Sunday will feel like -12. Air temperatures those days will hover in the teens and low 20s.
Thursday night into Friday morning, more widespread snowfall is expected, with between 1 to 3 inches expected in most parts.
In Northwest Indiana along the lake, those totals are expected to be even higher, as heavier, lake-effect snow is expected through Friday night, Roman said.
Warmer temperatures in the forecast
Here's the good news: there's a high probability that the Chicago area could see above-average temperatures towards the end of the month.
The NBC 5 Storm Team's eight and 14-day temperature outlook shows that above average temperatures are likely to occur between January 23-29.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the average temperature for those days is between 31 and 32 degrees. Forecast models show that temperatures eventually reaching into the low 40s is expected, however, with a high of 34 degrees next week Monday, 39 degrees Tuesday and 41 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.
"That's like a mini heat wave," Roman said.
