Temperatures are expected to drop and more snow is possible through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The snowstorm wasn’t as severe as expected on Wednesday, with 2 to 4 inches of snow blanketing the Chicago area. The forecast had predicted an inch per hour.
Many schools in the area closed or switched to online learning in anticipation of the storm, and Chicagoans’ evening commutes were slower than usual due to the snow.
Thursday is expected to be sunny and windy but snow-free, but temperatures could hover around 3 degrees with a wind chill of minus 9.
The weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for this weekend, identifying a risk of snow, extreme cold and ice accumulation throughout the weekend.
There’s a 30% chance of snow Friday afternoon which increases to a 100% chance of precipitation by Friday night. That could bring 2 to 4 inches of snow to the area, said Gino Izzi, a weather service meteorologist.
A mix of snow and rain is possible Saturday with a high of 35 degrees. By Saturday night, snow is likely before midnight into Sunday morning, the weather service said. The temperatures are forecast above freezing so there’s little risk of freezing rain or icy roads, according to Izzi.
“Just plain rain or snow is what we’re looking at,” he said.
Cold temperatures could sweep into the area near the end of the weekend with Sunday night’s low of minus 2 and Monday’s high of 9 degrees.