All winter we've been feeling a little like the boy who cried wolf when it comes to weather stories -- if we write it, you can bet it won't happen.
Still, we feel somewhat remiss about not at least putting the word out should this winter storm predicted for tonight actually come to pass. So, here goes.
The National Weather Service, whose office is located in Romeoville, has issued a winter weather advisory for the period between 9 tonight and 6 p.m. Friday.
The most recent forecast, issued at 2:45 p.m., said snow should begin falling the Joliet area sometime after 9 p.m. and will be at its heaviest -- possibly one inch per hour -- between late tonight and early Friday. Come Friday morning, as the temperatures rise, the snow could change over into a "wintry mix" of freezing drizzle.
If all of this comes to pass, expect to see snow accumulations in the three- to six-inch range and less than a tenth of an inch of ice, the forecast said.
Because the wind is going to pick up overnight as well, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph, visibility will be down to less than a half a mile at times and there could be occasional white-out conditions.
The odds that we'll get snow tonight: 100 percent. The probability of more snow/sleet Friday drops to 70 percent.
The good news is things become more calm by Friday night, with a low of 23 followed by a high of 34 on Saturday. The next chance of precipitation is Monday, and that could be either rain or snow or both, the forecast said.
So, maybe we'll have to break out those shovels and snow boots tonight and Friday. Then again, we've been wrong before...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want the latest in breaking news throughout Will County? Sign up for our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.