There was about 1 to 5 inches of snow in the region as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, said ABC 7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler. More snow is expected all morning and wind causes visibility problems.
Lake effect snow is likely to add more accumulation in Lake, Cook and DuPage counties later Tuesday morning.
The storm is likely to produce a total of 4 to 8 inches, Butler said.
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The heaviest snow is expected in Lake and Cook counties, just inland from Lake Michigan.
The snow will be wet and heavy, so it may be a good idea to shovel a few times during the storm if the snow builds up.
A Winter storm warning is in effect until 12:00 PM Tuesday for DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties and until 5:00 PM Tuesday for Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.
A Advice due to flooding at the lake is in effect along the Lake Michigan shoreline through noon on Tuesday. During the storm there is a small chance of some ice and freezing rain in those areas.
City snow plows, salt spreaders tackle traffic arteries
Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation prepared their fleet of salt spreaders earlier Monday as they geared up to tackle more than 9,400 lane miles with salt piles stationed across the city. Several spreaders and plow wagons have already been used.
“Keep an eye on your driving conditions. I think we’ve all gotten used to having fewer vehicles on the road,” said Rich Guidice, executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications in Chicago. “We may have picked up on bad driving for a year and a half in the past year and a half and we want to make sure people know there is enough distance to the car in front of you, make sure your gas tank is full.”
With its thousands of cameras mounted on major roads, OEMC will pay specific attention to Lake Shore Drive during the night hours.
“We have 240 miles of town to keep an eye on, but Lakeshore Drive is something we will of course pay close attention to due to its proximity to the lake,” said Guidice.
On the south side off Interstate 94 and 111th Street, firefighters assisted a woman whose car had run into a ditch. Another car was towed off Lake Shore Drive because the accidents were ubiquitous from Monday evening to Tuesday morning.
The snow also covered sidewalks through Chicago and waves crashed along the beaches, making the path along the lake dangerous.
Flight delays at O’Hare Airport were small early Tuesday, with about 20 cancellations. Midway also had minor delays and 17 cancellations.
Local nonprofit My Block My Hood My City is calling on volunteers to help shovel snow for the elderly in their neighborhoods.
“The city is about to be overwhelmed by Mother Nature, so we want to step in and help,” said Jahmal Cole, executive director of My Block My Hood My City.
The group plans to meet with Vernon on Tuesday afternoon at noon in the city’s West Woodlawn neighborhood.
“We know seniors, you know, some of them have neuropathy in their wrist, they have oxygen, and they say they can’t get out to create for themselves,” Cole said. “So our philosophy is what’s something simple you can do that will positively impact your block.”
My Block My Hood My City plans to provide supplies to anyone willing to volunteer. Given the expected amount of snow, it will require a community effort.
Snow accumulates in suburbs
In the western suburbs, the center of Aurora was already covered with a new blanket of snow on Monday at 8 p.m.
Visibility was poor in the Elburn area and there were also crashes on suburban roads.
Joliet’s public works department said it was digging in its salt pile for the first time this season.
And Dan Crowder, passing by The Mobile Engine Doctor, said his phone was ringing off the hook. The former Sears technician said he makes a good living from home visits to fix snow throwers.
“I actually wanted to open a store before the pandemic hit, unfortunately… and I’m glad I didn’t,” Crowder said. “I decided to start a bit smaller with the truck first, and it turned out to be very fruitful.”
AAA is reminding people to slow down on the road and pack a road emergency kit, even if you’re only going to drive a short distance.
“What should be in that kit is your cell phone charger, jumper cable, extra food and water, extra clothing, mittens, hats, gloves and blanket,” said AAA spokesman Molly Hart. “We also recommend using a bag of abrasive material, be it sand, salt or cat litter.”
The Illinois Tollway planned to deploy its entire fleet of 196 snowplows in anticipation of the blizzard, warning that drivers should expect the snow to commute both their Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Toll officials said drivers should slow down and plan to allow extra travel time for safety. Drivers who feel they need help or whose vehicles are becoming disabled should stay in their car with hazard lights on and dial * 999 from their mobile phone.
More snow with more effect is expected on Wednesday.
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