Chicago weather: Rain, freezing rain and snow for morning commute; major temperature drop coming

Scattered rain showers transitioning to snow and even freezing rain at times could lead to a slick Wednesday morning commute in the Chicago area as temperatures as warm as 40 degrees quickly fall, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.

“The high temperature for today has already occurred,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

As of 5:30 a.m., light rain showers and pockets of drizzle were scattered across the area, with temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. By 7 a.m., that drizzle could freeze, leading to light snow showers by 10 a.m.

In addition to the slick and slippery roads, winds gusting as high as 40 miles per hour could lead to “wind-whipped snow” and hazardous travel in some parts, the National Weather Service said. Those conditions could be worse in northwest Indiana due to lake effect snow showers.

“Heavier bands of snow possible,” Roman said, of what to expect in northwest Indiana Wednesday morning. “Combine that with gusty winds and low visibility.”

As the day goes on, temperatures will plummet Roman said, with readings by 5 p.m. in the mid 20s.

Thursday’s high temperature was expected to be 25 degrees, with another “clipper system” set to move in overnight and into Friday morning.

“We’ll watch that for the morning commute,” Roman said, of the snow expected.

Another clipper system bringing snow will move in Saturday through the afternoon, Roman said.

“By the time we reach Sunday, it should be gone,” Roman added.

Temperatures Friday will reach back up slightly to 30 degrees Roman said, before dipping back down into the the teens and below over the weekend.