Justin Liles: Snow tonight, high winds late Thursday

Lake enhanced snowfall is possible for Cook County Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. Moderate to heavy snowfall is possible at times for the South Shore along the Snow Belt through Saturday, especially over the Bayfield Peninsula and northern Ashland/Iron County. Snow will be light and fluffy but snow covered roads and hazardous travel conditions are possible this evening.

Winds will also pick up Thursday night through Saturday. Blowing and drifting snow will create problems on Friday. Trees that remain snow-loaded from the previous storm combined with strong winds are a concern for additional tree damage and power outages. Bitter cold wind chills take over this weekend likely leading to wind chill warnings all weekend long.

TONIGHT
Snow, mainly before 5am. Low around -4. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
THURSDAY
A 40 percent chance of snow. Patchy blowing snow after 2pm. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a steady temperature around -3. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
FRIDAY
A 20 percent chance of snow. Areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near
-1. Windy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
SATURDAY
Patchy blowing snow. Sunny and cold, with a high near 3. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Patchy blowing snow before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 7. Blustery, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
MONDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 10. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
TUESDAY
A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 14. South wind around 10 mph.