We knew this was coming eventually:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Chicago IL 243 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024 ILZ006-103-104-120445- /O.CON.KLOT.WS.W.0002.240112T0900Z-240113T1800Z/ Lake IL-Northern Cook-Central Cook- Including the cities of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, and La Grange 243 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions expected. Total snow accumulations in excess of 8 inches and wind gusts up to 45 mph expected, with the highest snow accumulations away from Lake Michigan. * WHERE...Lake IL, Northern Cook, and Central Cook Counties. * WHEN...From 3 AM Friday to noon CST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will mix with rain near Lake Michigan and limit snow accumulations after mid Friday morning. Elsewhere, snow rates may exceed 1 inch per hour at times. Westerly wind gusts up to 45 mph are expected primarily Friday evening and may lead to areas of blowing snow and very low visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
I fully expect American Airlines will have an extra flashlight and water, but I'm never sure about the extra food.
The flight is scheduled to leave at 10 am. I estimate less than a 50% chance that we'll actually board the plane before then, let alone leave within that hour. But I have had pleasant surprises before.