Winter Storm to Bring Icy Weather, High Winds to Illinois

A winter storm is forecast to move across Illinois bringing high winds, icy precipitation and waves up to 20-feet high along the shores of Lake Michigan.

The National Weather Service on Monday morning had storm warnings, freezing rain advisories and flood warnings across Illinois. Forecasters predicted heavy icing in the northern half of Illinois. Heavy rain and flooding is expected in central Illinois with river flooding likely to continue for several days.

The weather service says there already was 2 to 6 inches of rain by early Monday, mostly south of Interstate 72. Another 1 to 1.5 inches is possible.

In the Chicago area up to a half-inch of ice is expected and wind gusts are predicted to reach 60 mph. The weather service says high winds and ice will mean power outages.