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CHICAGO (CBS2/AP/WBBM) ― Getting to work after the Thanksgiving holiday might be a challenge Monday morning as December arrives in with a snowy blast.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the entire Chicago area and most of Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as downstate to the Paris, Ill., area and north to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The advisory is in effect until noon for most of the Chicago area, and 4 p.m. for Northwest Indiana.
A winter storm warning has also been issued for McHenry, DeKalb and Boone counties.
Snow has been slowing down in the early morning, but blowing snow will likely be a problem for much of the day farther inland.
Monday’s WBBM AccuWeather forecast calls for snow tapering to flurries with a total storm accumulation averaging 3-6 inches. Expect roads to be quite slick.
Higher snow accumulations have already been seen farther inland. Five inches are on the ground in Streator, 4.2 inches in DeKalb, 4.8 inches in Downers Grove, and 4 inches in Westmont.As of 7:30 a.m., Midway Airport recorded 1.4 inches while O’Hare International Airport had 2.5 inches, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Tim Halbach, who said the totals were beginning to "trickle in."
Halbach said Rockford had 4.9 inches of snow and Elk Grove Village had 3.5 inches.
Snow fall was higher away from Lake Michigan.
The city racked up 2.5 inches on the North Side and 1.5 inches on the South Side, according to a city Dept. of Streets & Sanitation release. As of 7:45 a.m., the full fleet of snow plows continue to work on the main streets and won't move to the sidestreets until the main routes are clear and the weather system lets up, according to the release.
Streets & Sanitation had been tracking the weather system making its way across the Chicago area and decided to send out 274 trucks to patrol pre-assigned routes on main streets and Lake Shore Drive as of 3 a.m. The department initially called out 184 trucks at 2 a.m. but later increased the fleet, according to a release from department spokesman Matt Smith.
Streets & San responded to a strong band of snow passing through the area from the North, which is accompanied by steady winds that are expected to help temperatures fall, the release said.
The department is also reminding motorists that the city’s overnight winter parking ban went into effect Monday morning for 107 miles of vital arterial streets. Cars parked in violation of the restriction with permanently posted signage may be ticketed, towed and impounded.
The ban is in effect from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. regardless of snow, so auto owners should check the street signs where their cars are parked.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for north-central and north-east Illinois that will remain in effect until noon Monday, the weather service said. A winter weather advisory means accumulating snow will cause travel difficulties and snow-covered roads will limit visibilities.
As of 7:30 a.m., at O'Hare, 15 flights had been cancelled with delays of 45 minutes. No cancellations at Midway, but delays of 15 minutes there.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has provided the following tips to keep motorists safe:
-- Plan ahead
-- Don’t crowd snowplows
-- Watch for black ice
-- Dress warmly
-- Do not travel unless absolutely necessary
-- Make sure someone is aware of your travel route
-- Always carry an emergency car care kit
-- Carry a cell phone
-- Always wear a seatbelt
“Snow removal is a safety issue and a top priority for the Department,” IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees said in a release. “IDOT has a proven track record of effective, timely snow and ice removals from our roadways and this year will be no different. Winter weather will be here soon enough, so it’s important for motorists to get ready now because Illinois weather can become dangerous in a matter of minutes.”
During the 2008 winter season, more than 3,900 IDOT employees and more than 1,900 pieces of equipment will be deployed as needed to keep state routes clear and passable. Last year, IDOT spent about $86 million on snow removal efforts, the release said.
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