National Weather Service officials expect a cold front to sweep the area Wednesday evening, bringing gusty snow showers.
The weather system is expected to blow in 50 mph winds with snow affecting visibility, officials said. Roads may become slippery causing more weather impact.
Weather officials had warned of potentially strong squalls but later said the threat had diminished due to warmer afternoon temperatures and lighter precipitation than expected.
Officials had been expecting snowfall between 3 and 6 p.m. with temperatures plummeting to the low teens, but revised their forecast around 3:30 p.m., saying concern for the storms had shifted to after the evening commute, between 6 and 11 p.m.
Current conditions at O’Hare International Airport were overcast at 39 degrees and at Midway Airport conditions are the same at 40 degrees.
A wind advisory is in effect until midnight for portions of central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, officials said. Gusty winds may blow around objects and tree limbs with a chance of causing power outages.
