CHICAGO (STNG) -- A snow storm that could dump as much as 8 inches of snow on the Chicago area has snarled traffic and led to flight cancellations that continued late Friday morning.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana that started at 3 a.m. Friday and remains in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday.
A winter weather advisory means accumulating snow will cause primarily travel difficulties and motorists should be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility.
The city’s Department of Streets & Sanitation deployed 184 snow-fighting trucks to the main roads about 2:30 a.m., according to a department release.
As of 10:30 a.m., flight delays at O'Hare are averaging 30 minutes and airlines have canceled more than 200 flights because of the weather, according to a release from the Department of Aviation.
At Midway, most flights are operating on time, with some flights delayed up to 90 minutes. Minor cancellations have been reported, according to the release.
Passengers traveling through O'Hare or Midway should check their airline's Web site or call to check the status of their flight, the release urged.
The storm brought traffic on the expressways to a crawl in the morning rush, prompting ISP District Chicago, Elgin District and District 15 (Tollways) to institute the emergency snow plan, meaning ISP will only be responding to accidents with personal injury or non-drivable property damage, according to an ISP release.
A motorist in drivable property damage crashes should exchange information in a safe location and make a report at the nearest State Police District within seven days.
As of late Friday morning, ISP has responded to numerous calls for service ranging from motorist assists, vehicles driving off the road and multiple vehicle crashes involving minor injuries, the release said.
Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving, slow down and allow plenty of time to make it safely to their destinations while yielding to emergency vehicles including highway maintenance vehicles displaying oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, the release said.
Scott’s Law requires a driver to change lanes, if it is safe to do so, or reduce speed and proceed with caution when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights, the release said.
ISP indicated that hazardous conditions are expected throughout the day Friday and there are the following safety tips motorists should adhere to:
--Plan ahead and makes sure before leaving that your trip is necessary;
--Don't crowd a snow plow and remember the operator's field of vision is restricted;
--Watch out for black ice and roads that appear treacherous and take it slower when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas because they are all prone to icing;
--Dress warmly and in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in anticipation of emergencies;
--Make sure someone is aware of your travel route;
--Always keep an emergency car care kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first aid kid;
--Always carry a cell phone and wear a seat beat.
The snow could cause havoc with the evening rush as well.
A low-pressure system over Montana on Thursday night was expected to move into the Great Plains early Friday and hit the Chicago area early Saturday. The system will bring moderate to heavy snow that is expected to continue throughout the day Friday and into Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service Web site.
Total snow accumulation by Saturday will range from 4 inches in the south suburbs to 8 inches along the Wisconsin border, the weather service said.
Temperatures are expected to climb to 30 Friday afternoon, when wind gusts will reach 20 miles per hour, the weather service said.
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