Chicago area schools announce closures, shifts to E-learning ahead of snowstorm

CHICAGO - With the first snow storm on the way, schools in the Chicago area and Indiana have started to announce closures or shifts to E-learning on Monday.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Lake (IL), Cook, Lake (IN), Porter, LaPorte, Eastern Will, and Kankakee counties through Monday.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for DuPage, northern and southern Will, Newton, and Jasper counties.

Snow rates could exceed 3 inches per hour at times. If the most intense snow bands remain stationary for just a few hours, localized snow accumulations could easily exceed 12 inches.

Northerly wind gusts in excess of 30 mph will lead to whiteout conditions in the heavier snow bands, especially near the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Snow from the winter storm will begin moving into the area on Sunday evening and continue into the Monday morning commute.

Chicago area school closures Monday

The following schools and districts have canceled classes or shifted to E-learning for Monday ahead of the winter storm.

Tap here for a list of full school closures

Sunday, Monday's weather forecast

Chicagoland is bracing for its first major winter storm of the season Sunday night into Monday, with heavy lake-effect snow expected to create dangerous travel conditions and whiteouts near Lake Michigan.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Lake (Ill.), Cook, Eastern Will, Kankakee, Lake (Ind.), Porter, and LaPorte counties, where 6 to 10-plus inches of snow are possible. Advisory areas, including DuPage, northern and southern Will, Newton, and Jasper counties, could see 2 to 5 inches.

Two waves of snow are expected — one late Sunday night and another Monday morning — with snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour and wind gusts over 30 mph likely to cause whiteout conditions and hazardous commutes.