Blizzard Warning Issued for Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Lee Counties; Whiteout Conditions Expected
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 3, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for parts of Northern Illinois, effective from 10 PM Sunday through 1 PM Monday, with heavy snow and high winds forecast.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Blizzard Warning
- Affected area
- Northern Illinois
- Issued
- April 3, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Chicago IL
Winter notices differ by expected impact and timing. The original notice carries the forecast window and any travel guidance for the named area.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Northern Illinois.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Chicago IL has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of Northern Illinois. The alert is effective starting at 10:00 PM CDT on Sunday, March 15, and is set to remain in place until 1:00 PM CDT on Monday, March 16.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically impacts the following geographic regions in Illinois:
- Winnebago County
- Boone County
- Ogle County
- Lee County
What You Should Do
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest road conditions for Illinois at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. A Blizzard Warning indicates that falling and blowing snow with strong winds will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous.
Expected Conditions
Blizzard conditions are expected to develop, featuring total snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches and ice accumulations resulting in a light glaze. Winds are forecast to gust as high as 45 to 50 mph. These factors will create widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions, making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. The hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact the Monday morning commute, and gusty winds may bring down tree branches.
Timeline
- Onset: 10:00 PM CDT, Sunday, March 15
- Duration: The warning remains in effect through the overnight hours.
- Expiration: 1:00 PM CDT, Monday, March 16
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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