Lake effect snow and bitter cold
Update 1/7 11:30AM: Lake effect snow will continue into this afternoon. The snow will begin to die down by this evening. Many areas will see 2-4" by the time the lake effect snow machine shuts off, with others closing in on 8-10" in very isolated areas under the heaviest bands.
Dangerous wind chills will be a concern long after the snow has come to an end. Expect chills to drop as low as -30° tonight into tomorrow morning. At temperatures like that, frostbite can begin to settle in within 20 minutes. - Greg
Lake Effect Snow: A Winter Weather Advisory lasts from midnight through 4 PM Wednesday (Fig 1). The snow starts just after midnight and ramps-up through the morning, peaking around noon (Fig 2) and will taper down by Wednesday evening. Most will see between two and four inches of snow with the potential for up to six, closer to the lake (Fig 3). Expect driving impacts for the metro area through the day, this includes the morning and evening drive.
Dangerous Wind Chill: Advisory/Warnings run though noon Thursday (Fig 4) as it will feel well below zero. Expect a wind chill of -5° to -10° Wednesday, falling to -15° to -30° Thursday morning (Fig 5). Thursday morning will be the most dangerous time for prolonged exposure outside.
Cold and light snow stays in the forecast through the end of the week. You can watch the latest weather webcast here for the 10-day forecast.