Wednesday morning's commute turned treacherous for Chicago drivers as freezing drizzle created slick conditions on roads, particularly on bridges and overpasses. A special weather statement was issued, with the National Weather Service warning of potential slick spots and advising extra caution, as reported by NBC Chicago. Commuters were urged to leave additional travel time, slow down, and increase the following distance to avoid incidents.
Several accidents were recorded early Wednesday, with crashes shutting down lanes involving an Illinois Department of Transportation salt truck. The Stevenson Expressway saw a significant shutdown after a crash near the Dan Ryan, and another separate incident resulted in Metra train delays affecting the Milwaukee District-West line, as detailed by NBC Chicago.
Looking ahead, Chicago residents should brace for scattered snow showers later in the day with a 30 percent chance of precipitation and less than a half-inch of new snow accumulation possible, according to a forecast by the National Weather Service. The outlook for the rest of the week includes mostly cloudy skies with highs hovering in the mid-30s and an elevated snow risk as we head into Monday night and Tuesday.
Additionally, the National Weather Service warns of hazardous weather conditions extending into the coming days, particularly in parts of northwestern Indiana where lake-effect snow could intensify. "Lake effect snow showers are expected to produce some minor snow accumulations tonight across portions of northwestern Indiana," they announced. Small craft should also be wary of hazardous conditions on Lake Michigan starting tonight, as laid out in the Hazardous Weather Outlook.
