Northern Illinois blizzard update! Feb 1 2011

Lake effect snow has taken full force reducing visibility to under 1/2 mile in DeKalb County in northern Illinois. Snowfall rates are approaching 3/4" per hour, and this is not even "system snow" related to the main snow complex moving toward the region, though it is indirectly caused by the strong easterlies off the lake right now. It's fairly uncommon to see lake effect snow reach as far inland as DeKalb, but with a 70-80 knot low level jet we're having no problem at this point.



Check out the forecast track of the 850 mb low across central Illinois. Northern Illinois is set to get absolutely creamed in about 6-12 hours. The northern edge of the heavy snow is already approaching Interstate 88, with strong easterlies still off Lake Michigan lake enhancement is very possible. The next 12 hours are going to be a blast, and I'm not even a winter weather lover.