Chicago AccuWeather Alert: Lake effect snow in forecast into Monday morning
South Shore high-rise residents deal with power outage amid sub-freezing temperatures; snow hits as CPS resumes classes Monday
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As students wrap up a two-week holiday break, snow could welcome them back into the classroom.
There is an AccuWeather Alert as lake effect snow began Sunday evening while a winter storm is brushing past south of the Chicago area, ABC7 Meteorologist Cheryl Scott said.
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ABC7 Meteorologist Jaisol Martinez said Sunday would be cold with highs in the 20s.
Most of Cook and Lake County in Illinois will see one to two inches of snow overnight into Monday.
WEATHER ALERTS | Winter Weather Advisory in effect for some counties
If lake effect snow bands stay in one location for several hours, some locations could get two to five inches of snow, Martinez said.
Although it isn't much, Martinez and Scott warned it could impact Monday's morning commute with slick road conditions.
FULL FORECAST | See 7-day Chicago weather forecast
The winter weather comes as Chicago Public School students prepare to return to classes on Monday.
The weather also caused issues for some residents in South Shore Sunday evening. Crews worked on a power outage for hours as a warming bus sat out front after some residents were forced outside in the grips of winter.
"It's inconvenient because we want to go in," resident Trachon Carson. "It's cold out here."
Emergency crew lights reflected off the dark windows of the two affected high-rise condominium buildings in South Shore.
"Our lights are off, so we can't even get in," Carson said. "We got groceries. We can't get upstairs to our residence."
A power outage in the area, according to ComEd, plunged at least 183 customers into darkness and cold temperatures.
"I was working on my non-for-profit organization," resident Shanette Coleman said. "We were having a Zoom meeting, and the lights just completely went out. No heat. Nothing. No electricity. There's no means of having any type of services."
That includes working elevators.
READ ALSO | Over 60 million under heavy snow, ice alerts as winter storm hits several states
"We have individuals who live in these buildings that have accessibility needs, and they're not able to meet those needs," Coleman said. "And, I'm afraid to take my stairs up by myself, and it's dark completely in the hallway."
Authorities said the outage happened just after 4 p.m. Sunday at the two buildings near 73rd and South Shore Drive.
A city bus was parked out front for people to warm up just as lake-effect snow loomed in the coming hours.
"It is extremely cold here, and then living on the lakefront and being on the lakefront, the temperatures in this area are actually, at least, 12 degrees cooler," Coleman said.
At last check, ComEd said power should be restored by 11:15 p.m. Sunday, and what caused the power outage is still under investigation.
"These conditions are not acceptable," Carson said. "Like I said, to be paying this kind of money, it's not cool." 19:16
