How much sleet and freezing rain will work in?

That's the question.

I spoke with Mark Ratzner of the NWS in Chicago tonight. They still very concerned that freezing rain and sleet will work into our picture late Saturday night. One of the things that makes this system very rare is the fact that the center of low pressure will track so close to us (from Quincy to South Bend). Getting heavy snow this close to the low's track is hard to do. Mark mentioned that temperatures remain near 32° from the surface all the way up. Any influx of warm air above us will bring the threat of freezing rain and sleet to the mix. However, if we stay at or below 32° in the column of air above us, we'll be all snow...and tons of it!

Here's what you should watch for Saturday: If we see a prolonged (1-3 hour) sleet event during the day Saturday, our snowfall forecast will be trimmed back greatly.

Candice King will be camped out here in the Weather Center tomorrow and tomorrow night. She will bring you the cut-ins on the air and on the radio. I will blog from home as I look at the newest models and reports.

Have a great night. Stay safe out there! -ERIC