Chicago weather: Snow storm dumps several inches of snowfall across area
Snow totals as high as 4 inches reported in areas
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Several inches of snow fell across the Chicago area Wednesday, as the edges of a massive national storm system reached northern Illinois and Indiana.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. EST in Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
Snow fell steadily through the morning, but as temperatures rose often mixed with or turned into rain. The precipitation began tapering off in the afternoon, though Northwest Indiana could still see some lake-effect snow through the evening.
"This is nothing, just another day in Chicago," said suburban resident Randy DeGuzman.
Temperatures are forecast to go back below freezing overnight, which could cause some slushy areas to ice over.
SNOW TOTALS
Lowell: 5 inches
Naperville: 4.5 inches
Lombard: 4.1 inches
Elmhurst: 3.5 inches
Park Ridge: 3.1 inches
Oak Lawn: 2.5 inches
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has deployed over 200 salt spreaders to focus on arterial routes.
Most of the snow has melted across the city and anything that remains is more of a slush.
Flakes started coming down during the early morning hours and for a short time, the snow did stick to the grassy areas, sidewalks and bridges.
But city salt trucks were quick to come out and get salt down before things got too slippery. They were deployed at 1 a.m.
Commuter Vivian Thurston said her morning drive was, "Not bad, I think the small roads are not plowed, but Michigan and Wabash plowed very nicely."
Prospect Heights was covered in snow and quite beautiful, with some residents saying they missed this kind of winter weather.
"This is the perfect snow," Clarendon Hills resident John Wicher. "It's about two or three inches, a little wet so it's gonna be good for the kids to play and it later. But it's easy enough to snow blow away and it makes everything look nice and clean and pretty so I think it's great."
Weicher dusted off his snowblower to clear off his driveway and his sidewalk in Clarendon Hills.
Children bundled up in layers on their way to school.
The snow is packable kind of snow, the kind that is great for snowballs.
Some little ones helped their dad shovel snow, but they also found time to play in it.
Meanwhile, father Frank Russell welcomed the winter weather.
"Well that's the beauty of it," he said. "We haven't had a ton so when we get snow like this, it's actually fun especially for the kids.
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As of about 11:17 a.m., there were91 cancellationss at O'Hare, with average delays of about 30 minutes. At Midway, there were 137 cancellations and delays of less than 15 minutes.
Snow was coming down fast in Oak Brook about 5 a.m., and the roads were partially snow-covered.
The main roads were cleared for the most part but were very slick.
Near Roosevelt Road and the Eisenhower Expressway, snow can be seen sticking to the side roads.
It's melting on the highways, but it's a slippery mess.
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In Forest Park, the snow is accumulating, covering the grass and neighborhoods there.
And in south suburban Minooka, the drive was just treacherous early Wednesday.
Snow plows could also be seen in the suburbs.
Motorists are advised to give them space and slow down.
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