3rd winter storm hits with 35+ m.p.h. gusts, rare thundersnow

The season’s third major winter storm—the second in February—lambastes the northern half of the Chicago area, from the city north beyond the Wisconsin state line, beginning late Saturday. While rain and sleet rather than snow pepper south suburban areas, accumulating snow and sleet whipped by 35-40 m.p.h. gusts threaten overnight conditions which may degenerate to near-blizzard status, especially in open areas. Wisconsin travel is to become truly challenging. There, 12-16” accumulations are possible.
Lightning flashed across much of Iowa late Friday in heavy showers of sleet—a condition which may well be replicated across sections of the Chicago area Saturday night. Lightning has been officially recorded during snow in February only once here—on Feb. 8, 1891.
Warmth—including 70° and 80° readings beneath this storm’s southern flank—produced tornadic t-storms in Texas Friday. A touchdown was reported near McLean in the state’s Panhandle.
--By Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist