Chicago readies for a snowpocalypse: Up to 7 inches incoming

Chicago is gearing up for a significant winter storm as meteorologists predict heavy snow accumulation by midweek. According to FOX 32, the Chicago area could see between 3 to 7 inches of snow starting Wednesday, with severe weather impacting the afternoon commute.

Light snow has already started across parts of Chicago on Tuesday, serving as a precursor to the heavy storm expected to move in later. However, this early flurry is unrelated to the main storm system, noted NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman. These initial light coatings will give way to heavier snow that could fall at a rate of an inch per hour in the evening hours of Wednesday, reports NBC 5.

Chicago residents are advised to prepare for hazardous travel conditions, especially during the afternoon and evening commutes on Wednesday, when visibility might be severely reduced. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for northeastern Illinois starting at 9 a.m., with predictions for as much as 7 inches of snow.

Roman highlighted in the NBC 5 report that the watch could escalate to a warning depending on the storm's developments. The snowstorm is expected to start early Wednesday morning in Chicago’s western counties before advancing eastward, the report warns. 

More snow is expected over the weekend, with another storm poised to bring additional accumulation from late Friday into Saturday.

This latest winter storm arrives amidst a considerable snow deficit noted by Roman in the NBC 5 report; typically, Chicago has around 25 inches of snow by this point in the winter, but this year has only seen 10 inches so far. Residents are advised to stay informed and cautious as the storm progresses.