Get Your Snow Blowers Ready; That 50 Degrees is Just a Trick of Mother Nature

At 2 p.m., the temperature in Elmhurst was still at 50 degrees. But don't let that fool you. The area is under a winter storm warning until 3 a.m. Friday.

We've collected various predictions from some of the area's go-to weather experts. Here's what they have to say:

Tom Skilling, WGN 9

Skilling says this storm is wreaking havoc out west, from eastern Colorado into Nebraska and Iowa, causing zero visibility and hazardous travel conditions. He  predicts 6 to 10 hours of steady snowfall.

Skilling says it will be like "instant winter."

"The rains are only this sprawling storm’s opening salvo here. Plunging temperatures are to hit late Thursday in the western suburbs and extend into the city as winds build to 50 mph and higher in gusts Thursday night into Friday.

Hours of snowfall in the colder environment on the storm’s back side tonight are expected to deposit 2 to 6 inches of snow—and potentially more to the west and northwest. The high winds will send snow airborne which may seriously reduce visibilities while producing treacherously icy road conditions overnight."

ABC7 News

Southwest Airlines have canceled all their flights out of Midway after 4 p.m., and O'Hare Airport is reporting delays of 20 minutes or more for inbound flights due to low visibility here, according to ABC Local.

The snow is expected to start falling (or should we say blowing) here between 5 and 7 p.m.

"DuPage County highway authorities have their own fleet of plows ready to go. Trucks have been parked for months now during the area's record-breaking snow drought. Ill. Dept. of Transportation officials are reminding drivers (that) the first snow of the season will bring an adjustment for drivers who have to remember how to drive on these slick roads.

Consider carefully whether you need to go out in the bad conditions. If you do go out, start by buckling up and allow plenty of extra time to get where you're going.

DuPage County and other areas already have a good supply of salt on hand left over from last winter due to the mild season."

Be grateful you don't live in our neighboring state to the north. The National Guard and state patrol in Wisconsin have been put on high alert.

CBS Local

Some areas west of Chicago, in and around the Rockford area, could get up to 9 inches of snow.  A foot to a foot and a half is expected in some areas of Wisconsin, according to CBS 2.

The most intense snowfall will be between 5 and 9 p.m., combined with intense winds into the 50 mph range.

The western suburbs can expect to see 2-4 inches of accumulation, from around Naperville, Aurora and Joliet all the way into the city of Chicago. Northwest Indiana will get less, with 1 to 3 inches expected.

The wind will cause blizzard conditions, which will stick around into Friday morning. Because of the storm, CBS2 is starting its morning newscast earlier on Friday, at 4 a.m.

What About School?

Be sure to check the Emergency Closing Center.

If Elmhurst Unit District 205 initiaties a late-start, parents will be notified by email and phone, and they can check the district website.