Chicago braces for first ‘significant’ snow storm of the season

The first “significant” winter storm to affect the Chicago region was scheduled to start Monday night, with meteorologists predicting 2 to 5 inches of snow accumulation and wind gusts up to 30 mph across portions of central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

A winter weather advisory was called from 8 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday in the Chicago metro area as well as in parts of DuPage, Will and Lake counties.

Though the advisory began at 8 p.m., Brett Borchardt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, said the snow would likely begin closer to 10 p.m.

Meteorologist Ricky Castro said the city will probably see 2 to 5 inches of wet snow during the advisory. Temperatures will hover around freezing, at 31 to 39 degrees, throughout this period.

The storm will likely be split into two rounds, according to the weather service. The first was expected to begin Monday evening, with much of the snow accumulating between 12 a.m. and 9 a.m.

“The morning commute especially looks pretty rough,” Borchardt said.

Officials warned that slippery road conditions could greatly increase travel times Tuesday.

“Leave plenty of extra time if you have to drive,” Castro said. “If you have the ability to work from home, if you have that flexibility, that’s not a bad idea.”

The city Department of Streets and Sanitation is planning to send out more than 200 salt spreaders to make sure conditions on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, bridges, overpasses and other roads are “safe and passable” for vehicles, according to a news release from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

The city urged drivers to have a full tank of gas before heading out, yield to emergency vehicles and snow plows when driving and to carry an emergency kit with a cellphone charger, food and water. Overnight parking bans are also enforced on more than 100 main streets in the city from 3 to 7 a.m. until April to allow enough space for snow removal.

By Tuesday midmorning, snow will fall mainly across northwest Illinois. Castro said temperatures could warm in the Chicago area at this time, possibly leading to rain instead of snow.

The NWS said minor snow accumulations and gusty snow showers are possible Wednesday and Thursday nights. A potentially “more significant” system approaches Friday night, with a winter storm.

Due to a strong El Nino, scientists predict that Chicago’s winter will be milder and drier than normal. Castro said it’s been a mild winter so far, with Monday’s storm shaping up to be the first “noteworthy” storm this season.

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Originally Published: Jan 08, 2024 at 9:12 am