There had been about 1 to 5 inches of snow across the region as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, ABC 7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler said. More snow is expected throughout the morning and the wind is causing visibility problems.
Lake-effect snow will likely add more build later Tuesday morning in Lake, Cook and DuPage counties.
The storm will likely produce between 4 and 8 inches of total snow, Butler said.
SEE ALSO | School closures in the Chicago area
The heaviest snow is expected in Lake and Cook counties, inland Lake Michigan.
The snow will be wet and intense, so it may be a good idea to shovel a couple of times during the storm as snow builds up.
A Winter storm warning is in effect until noon Tuesday in DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties and until 5 p.m. Tuesday in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.
A Advice on floods on the shores of the lake is in effect along the shores of Lake Michigan until Tuesday at noon. There is a small chance that there will be ice and icy rains in these areas during the storm.
The city’s snowplows, the salt spreaders face the arterial streets
Chicago’s street and sanitation department prepared its fleet of salt spreaders before Monday as they prepared to tackle more than 9,400 miles of road lane with salt piles parked across the city.
“Supervise your driving conditions. I think we’ve all become accustomed to not having so many vehicles on the road,” said Rich Guidice, executive director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. “We may have gotten into bad behavior over the last year, a year and a half and we want to make sure people are aware of leaving enough distance in the car in front of you. Make sure your gas tank is full.”
With its thousands of cameras fixed on major roads, OEMC said it will pay specific attention to Lake Shore Drive at night.
“We have 240 miles of town to watch, but Lake Shore Drive is something we will pay close attention to, obviously, because of its proximity to the lake,” Guidice said.
On the south side of Interstate 94 and 111, fire crews helped a woman whose car had fallen into a ditch. Another car was towed from Lake Shore Drive as the crashes became ubiquitous Monday night through Tuesday morning.
Snow also covered sidewalks across Chicago and waves crashed along the beaches, making the lake path dangerous.
Flight delays at O’Hare Airport were slight early Tuesday, with about 20 cancellations. Midway also had minor delays and 17 cancellations.
Local nonprofit My Block My Hood My City is convening volunteers to help shovel snow to 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 is scheduled to meet at 64 and Vernon, in the city’s West Woodlawn neighborhood, at noon on Tuesday.
“We know the elderly are, you know, some of them have wrist neuropathy, they have oxygen, they say they can’t go out and shovel by themselves,” Cole said. “So our philosophy is: what can you do simple and that will have a positive impact on your blog.”
My Block My Hood My City plans to provide supplies for everyone who wants to volunteer. Given the amount of snow expected, a community effort will be needed.
Snow piles up in the suburbs
On the western outskirts, the center of Aurora was already covered with a blanket of fresh snow at eight o’clock on Monday.
There was little visibility in the Elburn area, and accidents also splashed suburban roads.
Joliet’s public works department said it was digging into its salt pile for the first time this season.
And Dan Crowder, who goes by The Mobile Engine Doctor, said his phone was ringing. The former Sears coach said he made a living making good calls to repair snow blowers.
“Unfortunately, I was going to open a store before the pandemic hit … and I’m glad I didn’t,” Crowder said. “I decided to start a little smaller with the truck first, and it turned out to be very fruitful.”
AAA reminds people to slow down on the roads and pack an emergency kit, even if you only drive a short distance away.
“What should be included in this kit includes the cell phone charger, bridge cable, extra food and water, extra clothes, gloves, hats, gloves and blanket,” the AAA spokeswoman said. Molly Hart. “We also recommend that you put a bag of abrasive material, whether it’s sand, salt or cat litter.”
Illinois Tollway planned to deploy its full fleet of 196 snowplows in anticipation of the snowstorm, and warned that drivers should expect snow to affect both Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.
Toll officials said drivers should slow down and plan to allow extra travel time for safety. Drivers who feel they need help or vehicles with disabilities should stay in their cars with the hazard lights on and dial * 999 from their mobile phone.
More lake effect snow is expected on Wednesday.
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