Chicago Weather: Clipper system bringing 1-3 inches of snow
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A clipper system is bringing 1 to 3 inches of fresh snow to the Chicago area. The light snow slowed commuters during the evening rush hour.
ABC7 Chief Meteorologist Jerry Taft says the light snow will taper off around midnight. Only about an inch had accumulated near O'Hare Airport by 10 p.m., but it doesn't take much to create a mess on the roads.
"It's snow-covered, and it's a little slippery, so you've got to be careful. You've got to go slow. I have all-wheel-drive, so I'll just take my time and not do anything too stupid," said Kristi Misc, a driver.
Chicago's Dept. of Streets and Sanitation deployed its full fleet of 280 snow plows and salt spreaders to main routes and Lake Shore Drive Wednesday evening.
This February is soon to go down as one of the coldest on record. If you're sick of it, you're not alone.
"I'm not saying I'm not ready for spring, I am totally ready for spring, but it's Chicago, what are you going to do?" said Cynthia Gray.
IDOT is reminding drivers to take it slow on the roads as wet pavement can quickly become icy in these temperatures.
Taft predicts most of the area will see 1-3 inches of accumulation by Thursday morning. There is potential for some lake-effect snow, Taft said, and that could lend to slightly higher accumulations south and west of Chicago.
Thursday will be very cold and blustery with highs in the mid-teens. The record low temperature for Feb. 26 is 10 degrees, set in 1888.
WATCH: ABC7 First Alert Weather Forecast
STUNNING SUNRISES
There's one bonus that comes with the cold. Have you wondered why our sunrises have been so stunning lately? Butler says the fairly clear skies this week have played a role.
"On these very cold mornings, when you get some clouds starting to roll in, especially at the high levels, those ice crystals refract off the sunlight creating gorgeous sunrises and sunsets," she said.
Meteorological spring beings on March 1.
