Chicago weather forecast: 1st measurable snow accumulation of season falls, slickening roads

CHICAGO (WLS) — Drivers had to wipe off their cars, and commuters pulled out the waterproof shoes as snow fell Tuesday in the Chicago area.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Chicago and the suburbs from 4 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday

By noon there was just enough snow on the ground to build a snowman in Downers Grove. Most of the snow fell during the overnight and early morning hours, so it was the morning commute that felt the most impact, even if it wasn’t that much.

“Although it’s the first snow of the season, the roads are warm. So we haven’t seen any major issues,” said Cassandra Rouse, executive director of the Illinois Tollway “We did make sure to focus on our bridges and ramps to ensure that appropriate de-icing on the road was allowed for safe travel.”

WATCH | ABC7 AccuWeather Forecast

In Oak Park, residents scraped the snow off their vehicles and cleared their sidewalks before heading off to work. Some additional snow may yet come during the evening hours, keeping public works officials on alert, just in case.

Periods of precipitation will continue through Tuesday afternoon and the evening rush hour, ABC7 Meteorologist Larry Mowry said. Periods of mainly light snow will continue into Wednesday, with a mix of rain and snow possible near Lake Michigan.

By Wednesday, parts of the Chicago area could see up to 4 inches of slushy snow, with the highest amounts in the northern suburbs where there could be some lake enhancement, Mowry said. Areas along the lake may not see much accumulation due to the warm lake temperatures.

WATCH | Snow begins to fall early Tuesday morning

Cole Stallard, commissioner of Chicago’s Streets and Sanitation Department, said the city has more than 200 vehicles ready to hit the roads and a stockpile of more than 400 tons of salt.

Some street crews were already out by about 4:30 a.m., making sure the roads are clear.

Salt spreaders will be monitoring conditions on arterial routes, including DuSable Lake Shore Drive, as well as bridges and overpasses.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will also have plows and trucks at the ready to keep thing smooth on the expressways for the morning drive.

With the first snowfall of the season coming during the morning commute, Stallard said it’s important to be prepared and leave yourself extra time.

“Be safe, and make sure to have your brushes in your car,” Stallard said. “And make sure to have those talks with first-time drivers heading off to school.”

Ched Bendsen is from Minnesota and now lives in Oak Park. She was at it early, clearing the slushy mess off of her sidewalks Tuesday morning.

“I love it; I may be one of what, six people? Haha I love it,” Bendsen said.

She thought ahead, and took advantage of last week’s 70-degree forecast.

“I was on that roof, and I put up my lights, and people were walking by thinking I was foolish and now haha,” she said.

As folks in Oak Park cleared the snow from their cars, closer to the city it was more like a rain/snow mix. It started off as snowflakes, but with the ground still so warm it really just ended up creating wet roads.

In Hinsdale, snow accumulated on parked cars and bushes, creating a winterscape early Tuesday.

A handful of flights were canceled at O’Hare and Midway because of the weather conditions, but the airports very quickly recovered.

Valencia Williams took her dog for a walk, and recalls that warm day last week. She is very thankful she has a short commute to work.

“And I enjoyed it, I was able to sit on the patio. But the good thing is I work from home,” Williams said.

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