Sneaky Sunday Snow Band Could Drop Around 1 Inch From Illinois to Michigan as Upper-Level Wave Slides Into Ohio
UNITED STATES — A narrow but potentially high-impact “sneaky Sunday snow” setup is taking shape across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes, as an upper-level wave is forecast to dive through Michigan and Ohio Sunday morning. The key message: this is not a big storm, but where the snow band sets up, around 1 inch (or a bit more in spots) is possible, and that can still create slick roads fast.
What’s Driving This “Sneaky” Snow Setup
Forecast guidance shows a compact disturbance aloft pushing southeast, focusing snow into a thin, ribbon-like swath rather than a wide shield. That’s why totals won’t be evenly spread out — some towns may barely see flakes, while others just a county or two away could pick up a quick inch.
Where the Best Chance for 1 Inch Looks Focused
Based on the current snow swath projection, the most likely corridor runs from northeast Illinois/near the Chicago area, across northern Indiana, through northwest and north-central Ohio (including the Toledo area), and into parts of southern Lower Michigan. If the band shifts even slightly east or west, the “winner” zone changes quickly.
Timing: When Impacts Could Peak
The snow window appears centered on Sunday morning, with the highlighted forecast snapshot around 10:00 AM. In setups like this, the worst travel impacts usually happen when snowfall briefly increases and road temps hover near freezing — meaning roads can look merely wet until they suddenly aren’t.
Why Travel Can Get Tricky Even With Modest Totals
Even 1 inch can cause problems if it falls in a short burst:
- Quick slushy coatings on untreated roads and ramps
- Reduced visibility during heavier bursts inside the band
- Inconsistent conditions (fine in one town, slick in the next) — which is what makes these systems catch people off guard
What To Do If You’re in the Band
If you’re anywhere from Chicago to Toledo to southern Michigan, plan like you might get clipped:
- Give yourself extra stopping distance
- Slow down on bridges, overpasses, and exit ramps
- If you’re heading out late morning, check conditions again — the band can shift and timing can change
If you’re seeing snow start to fill in Sunday morning where you live, tell us what you’re getting — and keep following SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for the next update as this narrow swath gets refined.
