The day started with a very intense snow tire draped across northern Cook County, according to ABC7 Meteorologist Cheryl Scott.
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The highest snow totals are expected in Chicago and Cook County, as well as areas along Lake Michigan, Scott said. Many areas had already fallen 10 to 15 centimeters by mid-afternoon on Monday.
The heaviest snow would fall between 6 p.m. and midnight when a winter storm from Texas spread into the area Monday evening.
As of 10 p.m., Valparaiso had picked up 34 inches of snow, followed by Midway at 12 inches, Oak Park at 11 inches, Harwood Heights at 8 inches, and 8 inches in Oak Lawn.
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From midnight to Tuesday morning, the snow from the system will start to decrease, but the snow effect from the lake will continue. Finally, the lake effect snow will gradually begin to end between 9am and 12pm on Tuesdays.
A winter storm warning lasts until noon Tuesday for Cook and Lake (IL) counties. Other area advisories and warnings end at 9 a.m. Wind chills will stay below zero all day Monday.
Heavy snow and bitter cold create dangerous driving conditions
Heavy snow, gusty winds and bitter cold temperatures created dangerous driving conditions on surface roads and on interstates.
Illinois State Police said they had responded to 135 different crashes in the Chicago area as of 8:15 p.m. Monday and helped about 60 drivers as of midnight.
“The main concern was when it started to snow heavily and everyone was driving very slowly, I couldn’t keep the snow off my windshield,” said driver Steve Martin.
The city of Chicago has deployed more than 300 snow vehicles, asking drivers to slow down in the treacherous conditions. And with all the snow we’ve had recently, the city said it has plans to dump that snow in designated areas if necessary to get those heaps out of the neighborhoods.
“The main focus will be on thoroughfares, so those of you who are on residential streets, be patient,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, and we’re ready to make sure our city continues to function even in these extreme weather conditions.”
The snow fell so heavily that all plows could really make way for more snow.
“We have over three feet of snow and when it comes down in bunches it’s very difficult,” said Doug Halverson, a plow driver at Arctic Snow and Ice.
Whiteout conditions have been reported along the Chicago waterfront
In Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, the lake’s wind blew along Sheridan Road, creating intense drifting snow conditions.
A few blocks west of the lake it is a completely different story: the wind is much calmer and there is hardly any snow. The snow has taken some by surprise.
“I just came from the ‘burbs, and the’ burbs there was nothing,” said Courtney Podczerwinski. “And then you get here to the lake, and it’s totally crazy.”
Gas pipe fires shoot flames into the air in Highland Park
The lake effect snow tire dropped several inches of snow along Chicago’s North Shore on Monday afternoon. By 6 p.m., Evanston reported that 20 inches of snow had fallen. At one point, Wilmette saw 2.6 inches of snow fall in one hour.
In Highland Park, flames shot up into the sky on Green Bay Road, where the city said a contractor had ripped open the gas line with a Bobcat. Highland Park officials said ComEd is working with North Shore Gas to fix the line.
Evanston blared his tornado sirens to warn people to take their cars off main roads for a ban on parking on snow routes, and Niles residents received a voice mail and text message warning people that the worst of the storm was approaching.
Lake-effect snow piles up in northwestern Indiana
Heavy snow also hit northwest Indiana, where white-out conditions were seen at Marquette Park Beach in Gary.
The Indiana Department of Transportation deployed 1,100 squad cars on the roads Monday evening.
Gary Public Schools students must stay home on Tuesday. It should have been their first day back in class since March, but they will now have to wait until Thursday.
Several vaccination sites in Cook County will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the winter storm, officials said. Vaccinations will continue at Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital and Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, but all other locations, including large-scale locations, will be closed.
Officials said anyone already scheduled for an appointment will be contacted and rescheduled for another appointment this week.
Mobile COVID-19 test sites were closed on Monday due to extreme cold; However, community-based testing sites remained open.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, there have been more than half a dozen hypothermia-related deaths so far this winter season. Freeze and weather injuries are also on the rise.
To find a warming center nearby, residents can call city services at 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov.
The city also has dozens of other locations for people to seek shelter during the day, including at the Chicago Cultural Center, public libraries, Park District locations, and local police departments.
The city also asks people to shovel and sprinkle in front of their homes and businesses and to look at neighbors. The city also urged people not to shovel snow from the roofs as it is a great way to get hurt. Officials say if your home is properly heated, some of that snow will melt.
Firefighters are also reminding people to make sure their smoke alarms are working – citing a recent outbreak of fatal fires and a reminder not to use stoves for heat and to keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects.
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