Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Chicago area, with wet, slushy snow ahead

The winter weather advisory, issued for Lake County in Indiana and parts of Illinois, goes into effect at midnight and lasts through Friday morning By NBC Chicago Staff Published November 12, 2026 Updated on November 12, 2026 at The first winter weather alert of the season for the Chicago area is here, with snow and slushy conditions on the horizon and wind chills making it feel like temperatures are in the 20s after the sun goes down.

The Details

According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory goes into effect at midnight for Lake County in Indiana, as well as southern Cook County and eastern Will County in Illinois, lasting through 10 a.m. Friday. The advisory comes as lake-effect rain Thursday afternoon and evening across northwest Indiana and parts of northeast Illinois will transition to light snow showers overnight, with slushy accumulations possible.

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During much of the day Thursday, conditions will be cold and blustery, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

"The wind is not going to be our friend today," Jeanes said. "It's going to make it feel like it's at least 10 degrees lower than the actual air temperature at times," with readings feeling like the 30s. "Brace yourself for that."

Thursday night into Friday morning, temperatures will feel even colder, with wind chills dropping into the 20s as lake-effect showers continue.

Overnight, snow will start to mix in, Jeanes said, with potential impacts for the morning commute.

NBC 5 Storm Team

"We are going to have a good chance of snow in the morning through 6 a.m.," Jeanes said, starting in northwest Indiana. Between 6 and 10 a.m., eastern Will County, Kankakee County and parts of Cook County could also see the impacts, with wet, slushy snow accumulation possible.

NBC 5 Storm Team

The snow and slush could lead to slick spots on roads into the early afternoon.

Chicago Weather

Slushy, wet conditions continue for Chicago area following winter weather advisory Chicago Weather Chicago's Forecast: Sunshine and Slush "Temperatures will be close enough to freezing," Jeanes said. "We'll have to be mindful of that."

The snow showers will transition back to rain showers for the rest of the day Friday, with a possible return of slush Friday night into Saturday morning.

How much snow could fall and where?

As the snow falls, it's going to be wet, slushy and half-melted Jeanes said, since the ground will be warm.

Still, parts of northwest Indiana could see between one and four inches of slushy snow. A few localized pockets with higher amounts are also possible, especially closer to the Illinois-Indiana state line.

In the Chicago area, forecast models showed up to an inch, though the snow isn't expected to stick.

A brighter and drier weekend is ahead, Jeanes said, with clearer conditions starting Sunday. By next week, temperatures will rise back into the 50s, Jeanes said.

🧵(1/3) Here is an updated look at the lake effect rain and snow showers expected the next few days. The potential for slushy snow accumulations has increased for tonight - early Friday morning, especially near and east of I-57 and north of the Kankakee River. pic.twitter.com/qBmQXaQYEx — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago)