** Epic winter storm blankets region **
In the Midwest, Monday’s light snowfall represented a calm before the storm.
As of 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1, those two inches were growing at what could be a record pace, as weather experts said what’s ahead could be one of the largest winter storms ever to hit the region.
According to meteorologists, snow is falling at a rate of three to four inches per hour in some areas, which could bring 24 or more inches of accumulation by Wednesday morning. Snow is not expected to stop until late Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 3.
As of this report, winds were picking up and expected to reach speeds of up to 45 mph, resulting in three-to six-foot drifts in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio.
Heavy rains, thunder and ice storms are also being tracked.
Driving just a few blocks is taking several minutes while major roadways are gridlocked in certain spots.
Monday, Jan. 31, spokesmen at the National Weather Service in Chicago said the second system of the storm may be difficult to nail down, however, many areas are expected to be blanketed.
Drivers are being urged to avoid venturing out unless travel is a must. Snow is expected to cause delays and closures on dozens of roads throughout the metro Chicago area overnight.
Several flights at Chicago Rockford International Airport, O’Hare and Midway have been canceled, joining airports in at least two dozen states affected by the westerly storm.
Blizzard Warnings are in effect throughout the Midwest.
According to statistics, the largest Illinois snowfall on record occurred Jan. 30-31, 1982 when a St. Louis storm dumped 25 inches on the city of Greenville.
Twenty-three inches of snow fell during the Chicago Blizzard of 1967, stranding thousands in the city and surrounding suburbs. More than 45,000 cars were abandoned while about 750 city buses were stuck on streets and expressways.
Two days before the storm, Jan. 24, 1967, temperatures reached 65 degrees.
Almost 22 inches of snow fell in Rockford, Ill., twice. Between Dec. 30, 1978 through Jan. 1, 1979, 21.8 inches fell on the city.
Almost two weeks later, Jan. 12-13, 1979, a storm brought another 20 inches.
For more information about 2011 blizzard, visit Accuweather.com.
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