Winter storm warning issued for Chicago as intense snowfall targets Great Lakes with up to 2 feet

The Great Lakes are bracing for the first heavy snowfall of the season as heavy lake-effect snow makes its way to the region. Some areas could see 1–2 feet of snow, bringing the first signs of what will be an impactful La Niña winter to come. 

The National Weather Service has warned of “dangerous to impossible travel conditions due to intense lake-effect snow” that will cripple travel from greatly reduced visibility. 

Winds could gust up to 30 mph with these heavy lake-effect snow conditions, especially near the Lake Michigan shoreline. 

The National Weather Service has issued the first Winter Storm Warning in the month of November for Chicago in seven years, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

A fast-moving area of low pressure which brought snow to the Dakotas on Saturday morning, is now moving toward the Great Lakes and the Northeast, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

For some parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast, this system could produce the first measurable snowfall of the season. 

By Sunday, the fast-moving low will be positioned across Central Illinois, allowing for moisture to continue to funnel into portions of the Midwest and Great Lakes. Cold air will continue to be drawn down from Canada, allowing for snow to occur.

Northwest Indiana could see up to two feet of snow, while parts of Michigan and upstate New York are likely to see 8–12 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

By Sunday night, the low pressure will continue to move east, allowing for more lake-effect snow to occur near Lake Michigan. 

An intense band of snow is forecast to set up and continue overnight Sunday through Monday morning.

The area of low pressure will move into the Northeast Monday into Tuesday, bringing snow downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario. 

Areas just inland of the Great Lakes in upstate New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio are likely to see 8-12 inches of snow. 

Heavier snow bands will set up as the low pressure continues to move through and eventually out of the Northeast.

Outside the snow, winds will be very gusty as this low continues to pivot through. Wind gusts up to 35–40 mph are possible, closer to the area of low pressure and the Great Lakes.