Quick afternoon snowfall expected in Chicago area - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

The latest round of snow is expected to quickly pass through the Chicago area Tuesday afternoon, leaving at most 1½ inches in its wake.

The northwest suburbs were first hit before 1 p.m. and the snow has now spread to Chicago and the southwest suburbs, according to National Weather Service spokesman Gino Izzi.

Snowfall has already ended in the northern and far west suburbs, he said. "It was a quick hitter."

One to 1½ inches of snow accumulation is expected, with the most significant snowfall ending by 4 p.m., Izzi said. Snowfall is expected to end between 4:30 and 5 p.m. in northwest Indiana.

"It could snow pretty hard at times," Izzi said. "Snows will be winding down during the heart of the rush hour but it will be a close call in the southern suburbs and northwest Indiana."

The current temperature of 30 degrees is expected to drop into the teens tonight and could cause snowfall to ice up on roads that are not well traveled or treated with salt, Izzi said.

The next precipitation system to hit the Chicago area is expected Thursday morning and could be a combination of snow, sleet and rain.