Just made a grocery list to prepare for the upcoming storm. There has not been a storm this bad in my lifetime in our area. Husband is scheduled to work on Wednesday during the worst of it.

See article below from Dailyherald.com

Coming storm could be bigger than the blizzard of ‘67
By Paul Biasco

Chicago meteorologists plan to bring cots and a change of clothes to work this week as a massive blizzard is expected to dump up to 20 inches of snow starting Tuesday.

A blizzard watch will be in effect starting Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for all of northeastern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.

Current forecasts predict about 20 inches of snow for portions of southern Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties and 18 inches for most of northeastern Illinois.

“I wouldn’t want to be trying to get anywhere,” said Bill Nelson, Observation Program Leader for the National Weather Service. “We are planning on bringing in a couple of cots in case we get stuck.”

Light snow is expected to begin falling Monday night, but the heavy snowfall will begin falling midday Tuesday and through Wednesday afternoon.

Meteorologists predict the blizzard will produce whiteout conditions as 40 to 45 mph winds combine with snow falling at a pace of 2 to 4 inches per hour during portions of the storm, Nelson said.

The biggest storm to ever hit Chicago totaled 23 inches in 1967, but meteorologists predict the upcoming blizzard might break records.

“If everything pans out like we think right now, it will be right there at the top,” Nelson said.

The storm is expected to die down early Wednesday afternoon, but lake effect snow might persist into Wednesday night on the Illinois side of the lake before shifting into northwestern Indiana.

Meteorologists warn of “nearly impossible” travel conditions during the peak of the storm Tuesday afternoon and night and airlines have taken precautionary measures as forecasts come in.

Multiple airlines are relaxing their rebooking policies by offering travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly to from or through O’Hare International Airport between Tuesday and Thursday.

Only two Chicago snowstorms have ever topped 20 inches, with the last occurring in 1999 when 21.6 inches fell between Jan. 1 and 3.

“As they say, stay tuned,” Nelson said.