Chicago Weather Alert: Blowing And Drifting Snow Overnight, Bitter Cold Saturday Morning

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Snow squalls moved through the area through the late evening as an Arctic cold front passed through the region.

Heavy areas of snow, with wind gusts of 40 to 45 miles per hour, could greatly reduce visibility creating significant travel issues.

Snowfall amounts of 0.5" to one inch were expected with this fast moving system. Snow chances decrease for most locations by 1 a.m.

Because the front will generate wind gusts overnight above 40 miles per hour, blowing and drifting snow will be possible overnight. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday due to the threat of blowing snow that could impact travel.

A snow squall warning is now in effect until 10:30 p.m. for parts of Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, and LaSalle counties. Snow squall warnings have been issued throughout the area through the evening.

The squall line is coming with a driving west-northwest wind of 45 to maybe 50 mph and bringing an inch of snow in a period of a half hour, making for likely travel impacts. It is expected to weaken before it reaches downtown Chicago.

Skies will be clearing by Saturday morning with temperatures in the single digits and low teens. It will be breezy, sunny and cold for Saturday afternoon with highs in the low 20s. A gusty southwest wind will boost temperatures to the mid 40s for Sunday under a partly cloudy sky.

An unsettled weather pattern returns next week with a chance for showers late Monday. Freezing rain will be possible Monday night into Tuesday. A rain and snow mix is likely for Tuesday with highs in the 30s. Additional snow showers are in the forecast for the end of next week.

TONIGHT: Evening snow showers, then clearing skies overnight. Low 9°
SATURDAY: Sunny, cold and breezy. High 23°
SUNDAY: Partly cloudy, windy and milder. High 45°