Dangerous road conditions possible after weekend freezing rain in Chicago area

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Sunday, January 9, 2022
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- Freezing rain and slick road condition threaten the Chicago area over the weekend.

The National Weather Service had issued a Winter Weather Advisory, which ended at midnight Saturday, as light rain and freezing temperatures made its way through the northeast. However, a Flood Advisory is still in effect until further notice along the Kankakee River.

Below freezing temperatures throughout the past few days could mean icy conditions. Ice accumulations could reach one-tenth of an inch.

RELATED: Winter Wonder: What is 'pancake ice' on Lake Michigan, how does it form?

In response to the freezing rain and sleet, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation said it deployed 211 salt spreaders to help treat the roadways.

Indiana State Police also tweeted out a warning for drivers Saturday, advising them to slow "way down" after police said I-80 and I-65 are littered with crashes.

An ice jam on the Kankakee River in Wilmington near the I-55 bridge was confirmed Saturday, the National Weather Service said., prompting the flood warning as fluctuations in river levels are expected and will likely rise to a flood stage over the coming days.

Difficult travel conditions still continue Sunday due to icy roads. Meteorologist Cheryl Scott said secondary roads, bridges and overpasses, parking lots and sidewalks are most susceptible. Even as air temperatures gradually climb to above freezing during Saturday evening, ground and pavement temperatures may lag behind, resulting in icy conditions on untreated surfaces.

Tips for driving in winter weather can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation website.

The weather also caused more than 140 flights to be canceled from O'Hare airport and another 26 from Midway airport, as of late Saturday night, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.