Chicago is reeling from a bout of inclement weather today, as a winter weather advisory sees the city grappling with ice and freezing rain-induced chaos. Commuters faced hazardous road conditions leading to numerous accidents and more than 60 school closures as the weather took a turn for the worse overnight. According to NBC Chicago, meteorologists warned residents, and particularly drivers, of perilous roads and the potential for treacherous travel conditions.
Areas to the south saw temperatures teeter on the edge of freezing, resulting in freezing rain that coated untreated surfaces with ice, prompting the Kane County Sheriff to urge residents to stay off the roads. "The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is asking our community to make every effort not to drive this morning due to extremely icy conditions, especially in rural Kane County," the sheriff's office emphasized in a statement obtained by NBC Chicago. The north was not spared either, as snow was forecasted to follow the sleet, adding to the already slippery streets.
The National Weather Service issued a detailed forecast, confirming a "100% chance of precipitation" with possible icy conditions continuing into the afternoon, in a forecast found on their official website. They also pointed out the "Elevated Ice Accumulation Risk" and "Elevated Fog Risk" that residents should be aware of.
Flights were disrupted as a result of the freezing weather, with FlyChicago.com reporting more than a hundred cancellations across O'Hare and Midway International Airports. The bad weather is anticipated to linger, with fog predicted to continue into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Amidst the grey skies and damp prospects, a brief reprieve might be on the horizon with the National Weather Service forecasting that showers are expected to clear by Tuesday evening, only to return again later in the week.
Despite the glacial grip, temperatures are expected to rise gradually throughout the week, possibly reaching the low 40s by the weekend. NBC Chicago’s meteorologist Alicia Roman states that "Tuesday's high temperature is expected to be 36 degrees," offering a small comfort to Chicagoans battling the icy onslaught. Travelers though, are warned to be extra cautious on what appears to be just wet but might actually be ice-covered pathways and roads, as the city powers through a notably difficult winter day.
