Whiteout Conditions a Possibility for Chicago and Beyond

Millions of Americans are under the gun for winter weather as the season's first lake-effect snow event ignites across the Great Lakes and into the Appalachians. The snow is starting to fall as a blast of Arctic air envelopes much of the eastern U.S. Here is the latest on the snowy weather pattern.

Chicago Put Under a Winter Storm Warning as Lake-Effect Snow Erupts

The lake-effect snow machine is coming out of its slumber, triggering the first winter weather warning for Chicago in the month of November in seven years. Snow is forecast to fall across a wide swath of the region as the cold air moves over the warm waters of the Great Lakes. Steady winds blowing across the lakes will amplify the snow from Illinois and to the east into New York state.

Unseasonably cold temperatures are supporting the development of this snow. Overnight lows will dive into the 20s in several areas. Readings in the 30s will be the story overnight as far as the Deep South, thanks to a deep plunge in the jet stream. The coldest air of the season thus far will lead to snowfall of up to a foot in some areas. Exceptionally high hourly snowfall rates will raise the risk of travel disruptions as the snow piles up quickly on roadways.