There has been about 1 to 5 centimeters of snow in the region since 4 am on Tuesday, said meteorologist Tracy Butler of ABC 7 in Chicago. More snow is expected throughout the morning and the wind is causing visibility problems.
Lake-effect snow is likely to add more buildup Tuesday morning in Lake, Cook and DuPage counties.
The storm is likely to produce 10 to 20 centimeters of snow in total, Butler said.
SEE ALSO | Chicago area schools closed
Stronger snow is expected in Lake and Cook counties, inland Lake Michigan.
The snow will be wet and heavy, so it may be a good idea to dig a few times during the storm as the snow accumulates.
AN Winter storm alert is in effect until noon on Tuesday for DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties and until 5 pm on Tuesday for Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.
AN Flood warning on the lake shore is in effect along the shore of Lake Michigan until noon on Tuesday. There is a small chance of ice and freezing rain in these areas during the storm.
Snow plows and salt spreaders in cities face arterial roads
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation prepared its fleet of salt spreaders on Monday morning as they prepared to handle more than 9,400 kilometers of tracks with salt piles scattered throughout the city.
“Monitor your driving conditions. I think we are all used to not having as many vehicles on the road,” said Rich Guidice, executive director of the Chicago Office of Emergency and Communications Management. “We may have detected some inappropriate behavior when driving in the last year, year and a half and we want to make sure that people are aware of leaving enough distance for the car in front of them, make sure your gas tank is full.”
With its thousands of cameras attached to major roads, OEMC said it will pay specific attention to Lake Shore Drive overnight.
“We have 240 miles of city to keep an eye on, but Lake Shore Drive is something we will pay close attention to, obviously, because of its proximity to the lake,” said Guidice.
On the South Side, on Interstate 94 and 111th Street, firefighters helped a woman whose car had fallen into a ditch. Another car was towed from Lake Shore Drive, while accidents spread from Monday night to Tuesday morning.
Snow also covered Chicago’s sidewalks and waves broke along the beaches, making the lakeside path dangerous.
Flight delays at O’Hare airport were less on Tuesday, with about 20 cancellations. Midway also had minor delays and 17 cancellations.
Local non-profit organization My Block My Hood My City is calling for volunteers to help snow-plow elderly people from their neighborhoods.
“The city is about to be dominated 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 planning to meet at 64th with Vernon in the city’s West Woodlawn neighborhood at noon on Tuesday.
“We know that the elderly have, you know, some of them with neuropathy on their wrist, they have oxygen, saying they can’t go out and clean the shovel alone,” said Cole. “So our philosophy is: what is something simple that you can do and that will have a positive impact on your block.”
My Block My Hood My City plans to provide supplies to anyone who wants to volunteer. Given the amount of snow expected, a community effort will be required.
Snow accumulates in the suburbs
In the western suburbs, the center of Aurora was already covered by a new blanket of snow at 8 pm on Monday.
There was little visibility in the Elburn area and there were also accidents on suburban roads.
Joliet’s public works department said it was digging its pile of salt for the first time this season.
And Dan Crowder, who serves for The Mobile Engine Doctor, said his phone was ringing off the hook. The former Sears technician said he is making good money by making home visits to fix snow blowers.
“Actually, I was going to open a store before the pandemic, unfortunately … and I’m glad I didn’t,” said Crowder. “I decided to start a little smaller with the truck first, and it ended up being very fruitful.”
AAA is reminding people to slow down on the roads and pack an emergency road kit, even if you are going a short distance.
“What should be included in this kit includes your cell phone charger, jumper cable, extra food and water, extra clothes, gloves, hats, gloves and blanket,” said AAA spokeswoman Molly Hart. “We also recommend that you place a bag of abrasive material, be it 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 their routes Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Tollway officials said drivers should slow down and plan additional travel time for safety. Drivers who feel they need help or whose vehicles are disabled should stay in their cars with the emergency lights on and dial * 999 from their cell phone.
More lake-effect snow is expected on Wednesday.
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