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Accumulating snow is expected to make roads snow-covered and slippery, beginning predawn Sunday and continuing through Sunday morning.
"Our accumulating snow is going to done by noontime Sunday," said Eyewitness News meteorologist Tracy Butler. "All total, we're looking at two to as much as five inches of snow in the area."
Gusty winds Sunday afternoon and Sunday night are expected to cause significant blowing and drifting of snow which, along with a period of snow showers Sunday evening, may lead to near blizzard conditions at times Sunday night, especially in open and rural areas. Travel could be hazardous.
Following the snow, the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning that will take effect from 3 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Frostbite and hypothermia can occur in a matter of minutes.
Parents in the city and suburbs are wondering if the extreme cold weather Monday will mean no school for their children.
The below-zero temperatures that are forecast have Metra and Amtrak taking action involving travel Monday.
Metra alerted passengers Friday to expect trains to running a little bit behind the normal schedule on Monday. Amtrak Saturday came out with a modified schedule for Monday, as well.
MORE: Emergency and School Closings
Emily Hoffman and her son Peter don't mind walking outside Saturday night despite temperatures in the single digits, but come Monday when the high is expected to be several degrees below zero that's a different story. Two weeks ago that forecast was enough to prompt most CPS and most other district administrators to close schools.
"I almost don't want there to be school because I don't like the idea of the kids walking to school and he walks," Emily Hoffman said.
For now school is still on for Monday in most districts but any closing announcements would likely not come until sometime later Sunday. Kelly bird hopes her son has school.
"There's been too many days off already because of the weather, so it will be good to have him back," said parent Kelly Bird.
Whether there is school or not most people will still have to work Monday. And for those who work outside like the order takers at Portillo's, it can be brutal.
"Terrible, it's terrible. It's cold outside," said Tasha Riddle.
The cold, snow and high winds Saturday morning however had little effect on runners in the frozen half marathon. The race started at Montrose Harbor and ran for 13.1 miles along the snowy lakefront path.
"We are crazy, absolutely, but this is why we do this. We're runners, we like running. We live in Chicago, weather will not deter us," said half marathon finisher Richard Bruen.
