Chicago Weather: Snow expected to move out in time for PM commute
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Snow and rain falling across the Chicago area is expected to wind down as the afternoon/evening rush winds up, ABC7 Meteorologist Tracy Butler said. However, morning and early afternoon ice and show caused headaches for many travelers.
The Chicago Department of Aviation reports airlines at O'Hare International Airport have preemptively canceled 375 flights and currently have minor delays. The FAA says arriving flights are seeing an average delay of 66 minutes. Airlines at Midway Airport have canceled 65 flights and report minor delays. A small plane slid off the runway at O'Hare.
Mixed precipitation made for a snowy, slushy, slippery commute for drivers Tuesday morning as an overnight winter storm system moved through the area.
Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed more than 200 snow plows and salt spreaders Tuesday to treat Lake Shore Drive and other main streets ahead of the morning rush. Officials will monitor weather conditions and make adjustments when necessary.
The Illinois Department of Transportation deployed its full fleet of more than 350 trucks across all state routes Tuesday morning. IDOT spokesperson Gianna Urgo advised drivers to take it slow around intersections, ramps and bridges, build in extra travel time and leave plenty of room on the road for trucks to keep the roads safe.
The north suburbs saw the most snow, while freezing rain fell on the city, west suburbs, south suburbs and northwest Indiana. There wasn't much accumulation.
"I was very thankful. I didn't even have to pull out the snow blower. There it sits in my garage," said Renee Revesz, who lives in Gurnee.
But Monday night's light snow mixed with the quick drop in temperatures made for slick conditions - fast.
In Gurnee, a car slid off the road and into a ravine on Dilley Road north of Grand Avenue. In Wadsworth, near the Wisconsin state line, another car went into a ditch. In Zion, two cars went off the pavement after a crash on Green Bay Road near Russell Road.
Ken Mikeska, who also lives in Gurnee, had a positive attitude about the slick road conditions.
"It's a little icy, but it's manageable," Mikeska said.
Another round of precipitation is expected later this week. Snow is expected to arrive Wednesday night and will continue into early Thursday morning.
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