Special Weather Statement Illinois | Effective 03/17/2026 00:12

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued March 17 at 2:12AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
March 17, 2026 - 12:12am
Expires: 
March 17, 2026 - 1:00am
Description: 
At 206 AM CDT, NWS meteorologists were tracking a narrow, one mile wide, band of intense snow moving across portions of Will County. Observed snow rates beneath the band are in excess of 2 inches per hour. HAZARD...Rapidly changing conditions with visibility below one half of a mile, and quickly accumulating snow at a rate in excess of 2 inches per hour. The highest snow rates extend from Romeoville to New Lenox, and will drift southward toward Joliet and Manhattan. SOURCE...NWS Meteorologists IMPACT...The combination of localized low visibility and quick accumulations on roadways will lead to localized hazardous travel conditions. Locations impacted include... Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield, Lockport, New Lenox, Peotone, Crest Hill, Manhattan, Ingalls Park, Preston Heights, Fairmont, and Crystal Lawns.
Instruction: 
Travel at safe speeds and following distances, and prepare for rapidly changing visibility.
Area Description: 
Northern Will; Southern Will; Eastern Will
Forcast Office: 
NWS Chicago IL