Chicago has already received a significant early-season lake‑effect snow event. As of the latest reports, downtown Chicago had started with a light to moderate snowfall, while areas closer to Lake Michigan and northwest Indiana saw heavier accumulations. In many suburbs and near-gulf counties, totals ranged from a few inches to around a foot in the heaviest bands, with some isolated spots reporting higher amounts. Travel impacts included slick roads, flight delays, and school closures in affected areas, and the pattern was expected to continue with rates occasionally exceeding an inch or two per hour in the strongest bands. Key takeaways:
- Initial snowfall amounts in Chicago proper were in the 1–3 inch range early, with bands producing higher totals in nearby counties (some areas around 6–12 inches, depending on location and timing).
- Heaviest snowfalls were concentrated in lake‑effect bands south and east of the city, with Northwestern Indiana and nearby Lake County seeing the most dramatic accumulations.
- Conditions were volatile, with rapid changes possible as snow bands shift and temperatures remain well below average.
If you’d like, I can pull current, location-specific snowfall totals and the latest forecast for your exact Chicago neighborhood or a nearby suburb, and provide arrival expectations for the next 24–48 hours.
