Good morning.  

The next few days in Chicago are going to be quite interesting.  A MAJOR WINTER STORM is taking shape and the first batch of snow will arrive late tonight and continue into Tuesday morning.  This will be about 2-4" with the main event pulling into the area on Tuesday afternoon.  A BLIZZARD WATCH is currently will go into effect on Tuesday afternoon and continue til Wednesday afternoon.  The combination of very heavy snow and 40+ mph winds will cause considerable blowing and drifting snow and will reduce visibilities to almost nothing.  The worst of this storm should be in the late hours of Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.  The snowfall totals for this system will vary depending upon where you live.  Generally, 12-18" is expected from this system.  However, most of the area around Chicago (including Chicago) should see in the 18-24" range.  The other questionable is how much moisture this system is packing.  The average of 80 computer model runs is 1.17" at 15:1 ratio (totaling 18" of snow).  However, a lot of the European and Canadian models have spit out over 1.5" of snow (putting us over the 20" range).  Lake effect moisture will also add to totals in the Chicago area and counties along the lake.   This storm has the potential to break the 23" record in 1967, which currently stands as Chicago's biggest snowstorm EVER! Stay tuned for updated information about this storm and please be careful the next few days.  Don't leave your house unless absolutely necessary!