Snow falls, frigid cold forecast as city outlines winter plans

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Snow fell in the Chicago area Saturday night and the temperature is expected to drop much lower as winter in November settles in for an extended stay.

People driving on Chicago-area roads have been dealing with snow, slick spots and in some cases, accidents.

In another month, this will seem like a non-event, however on Saturday night, it caused a lot of problems.

The thin sheen of snow and ice is just enough to make the roads slick and treacherous. Among the numerous crashes on the Tri-State Tollway shortly after the snow started to fall, a Berkeley Police vehicle collided with another car.

"A little bit of snow and it seems like everybody forgot how to drive in the snow," said Dale Vladic.

The snow is just enough to cause major slowdowns on the expressways and reason for salt trucks to hit the road for the first time of the season.

The city of Chicago outlined its plan Saturday to deal with what appears to be a long brutal winter ahead and it has purchased more than 400,000 tons of it for this winter, 100,000 more than last year.

"Whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at the city of Chicago, the city of Chicago is ready to meet it head on," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

For many, the first snow of the season is a novelty to look at and enjoy. That's just what some golfers did.

"We were driving by, saw the lights on, decided we may as well get few in before it's too late," Mathew Ramsey said.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed about 200 plows and salt spreaders to main streets and Lake Shore Drive Saturday night. Plows will focus on clearing arterial routes to ensure streets are safe for motorists and emergency vehicles.

While no major snow is forecast in the coming days, temperatures are expected to dip into the single digits by Tuesday with sub-zero wind chills.