Lake-effect snow returns to Lake Michigan shoreline ahead of another winter system

After a powerful lake-effect system pounded northwest Indiana overnight, attention has shifted to a round of snow churning along the Lake Michigan shoreline – ahead of even more winter weather expected later this weekend.

Northwest Indiana experienced several inches of snow overnight and was expected to see additional snow during the evening as a winter weather advisory remained in effect. Lake County was anticipating the greatest amounts — additional snow totals between two and four inches, along with localized amounts of up to five inches.

Porter County will likely fare better, with one to three inches of additional snow expected to fall by mid-morning.

In Cook County, snow will be on and off throughout the day, especially near Lake Michigan.

NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack acknowledged while lake-effect snow will return to the shoreline, it will struggle to move inland.

The main band moved in around sunrise and was expected to hover along the lakefront throughout the day, though its intensity will likely diminish as time goes on, the National Weather Service said

Temperatures will drop slightly due to a persistent flow of air, though it will still likely feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler than actual conditions. Air temperatures will likely reach the low-to-mid 20s, and a high of 25 degrees is expected, making it the first time in the last nine days we’ve hit the 20s.

Snow will be a concern for a majority of the day, with lake effect continuing through the morning before winding down in the afternoon. Outside of northwest Indiana and the lakefront, accumulations will be significantly lower.

While localized totals from two to four inches are possible along the lakefront, Midway Airport is expecting roughly 1.2 inches, and multiple north suburban communities will likely see 0.5 inches.

Areas west of Interstate 294 will likely experience an inch or less, meteorologists said.

Despite the low totals, the lake-effect snow will be light and fluffly — and will likely accumulate rapidly, Sack said.

As a result, the NWS warns roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick.

The lake-effect snow will largely come to an end in the overnight hours as colder temperatures set in. Still, a few flurries will be possible in northwest Indiana, Sack said.

Sunday might start with a little bit of sunshine, though it will be anything but warm. Clouds will be overhead as low temperatures drop to around 10 degrees.

We won’t be immune to the snow, either.

While most of the day will be dry, some snow is expected to arrive in the evening. Sack explained that while some snow will arrive overnight, it won’t be an impactful event.

Clouds will persist Monday morning before a dose of sunshine arrives in the afternoon and temperatures reach around the 30-degree mark.

A weather rollercoaster will then come our way in the following days: Highs are expected to reach 28 degrees on Tuesday, followed by 26 degrees on Wednesday and 32 degrees on Thursday.

Sack said snow could develop in the late hours on Thursday, and warmer temperatures could introduce a rainstorm on Friday. A high of 35 degrees is expected then.