Wind Chill Advisory Until 10 a.m.; Blizzard Conditions Possible Friday Afternoon, Evening

UPDATE 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2:

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued yet another Winter Weather Advisory for McHenry County. The latest advisory is effective 4 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday. 

The advisory is in addition to the Wind Chill Advisory that remains in effect until 10 a.m. Friday. 

Per the Winter Weather Advisory, blowing and drifting snow is expected to begin Friday afternoon. Drifting snow with blizzard-like conditions Friday evening through Saturday morning are possible, the NWS states. 

Winds will shift to the south Friday morning with speeds approaching 20 to 25 mph, gusting to near 35 mph. This will create considerable blowing and drifting of snow, according to the National Weather Service. 

Visibility could be reduced to near zero at times - primarily in open and rural areas. 


Original Story posted 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2:

Did you just set down that shovel?

You may want to pick up a blanket.

The snow may have passed, but now McHenry County must brace for extremely cold temperatures moving this way.

The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a Wind Chill Advisory for McHenry County starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, and continuing through 10 a.m. Friday.

Other counties included in the advisory are Boone, Kane, Lake, DeKalb, LaSalle, Kendall, Ogle, Grundy and Livingston. The cold temps will arrive late this evening, and could drop to -8 to -18 degrees, the NWS says. 

Wind chill values will bring those numbers to 15 to 25 degrees below zero. A wind chill advisory means winds will combine with very cold air to generate low wind chill temperatures. 

The resulting conditions could lead to frost bite and hypothermia if precautions are not taken, according to the NWS. 

Those folks who must venture outdoors should be certain to wear a warm winter coat, hat and gloves for protection, according to the NSW. 

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