The Windy City is gearing up to weather its first severe snowfall of the year, with forecasters predicting up to 5 inches of snow accumulation in Chicago. Commuters are warned of treacherous driving conditions reaching into Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a storm advisory starting from Monday night and carrying on through to midday Tuesday.
As snow began to cover Chicago and suburbs, the storm was expected to rapidly intensify, bringing heavy "concrete snow." Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation went on to deploy over 200 salt spreaders to major streets to combat the icy conditions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Forecasts by Accuweather and NWS differed slightly, but both agreed that northern and western suburbs were to expect even greater snowfall than central Chicago areas.
During Tuesday's early hours, snowfall rates were projected to spike, particularly affecting early commuters. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) planned to utilize snowplow trains and switch heaters to maintain service, though they did warn of possible delays, stating, "Winter weather is unpredictable, and the forecast for this week may be especially fierce and challenging," as mentioned in a Chicago Sun-Times report. The weather service stressed the importance of taking extra care on the roads with meteorologist Scott Baker advising residents to "slow down" and "take your time," in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Regarding the aftermath of the storm, health professionals have urged locals to exercise caution while shoveling the dense snow. Dr. Charles German, a cardiologist from the University of Chicago, warned especially those with pre-existing heart conditions, saying, "The key is to just not push yourself too hard, particularly if you've been more sedentary recently," in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recommended sparing use of salt post-shoveling, advocating for alternative deicing agents to protect the environment, as per their statement reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
As the city braces for the inclement weather, the Chicago Tribune reported that NWS meteorologist Brett Borchardt said the snowfall was likely "to begin closer to 10 p.m." with the first round significantly impacting travel, particularly for Tuesday's morning drive. The city advised residents to make necessary preparations like having a full tank of gas and yielding to emergency vehicles and snow plows. The Chicago Tribune also reported that state meteorologists are keeping a close watch for a potentially "more significant" system set to approach around Friday night. As the city undergoes a cold and treacherous week, citizens remain poised to weather whatever nature blows their way.
