Snow could start after 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, and will continue, possibly through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast suggests Homewood and Flossmoor could get 3 to 6 inches of snow total, which is less than earlier forecasts predicted, but the snowfall will be accompanied by plunging temperatures and strong winds, which could present the most serious impact from the storm.
Winds are expected to pickup after 3 p.m., gusting to as high as 35 miles per hour, and snow could be heavy at times Thursday. Wind chill values could be down to -7 degrees.
Those conditions will continue Thursday night, but as the temperature drops to about -5, wind chill values could be as low as -30.
Snow showers are expected to continue Friday with even stronger winds, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour.
Saturday will continue to be windy, with blowing snow and a high near 7 degrees.
Driving will likely be hazardous over the next two days. The Illinois Department of Transportation is has a website that provides road condition information, GettingAroundIllinois.com.
For general winter weather advice, visit the state’s Winter Weather Preparedness Guide.
Snow plows will be out during the storm. For those who shovel driveways while streets are still being cleared, it’s often frustrating to have plows drop snow at the end of the drive as they pass.
Homewood Public Works Director John Schaefer said there is no way for plows to avoid leaving snow behind.
There is a simple approach to shoveling that will reduce the amount of snow that lands in a cleared driveway.
Shovel an area adjacent to the driveway in the direction plows come from, generally to the left of the driveway if you are facing the street. That gives the plow a place to deposit snow before it reaches the driveway.
Schaefer said about 10 feet should be sufficient.
Fire department officials appreciate help from residents keeping hydrants cleared of snow. If everyone shovels out about 3 feet around hydrants, that can save firefighters precious minutes finding and clearing hydrants in an emergency.
