Chicago weather live updates: Biggest snowstorm in 2 years begins to move into area
What’s expected to be the biggest snowstorm to hit Chicago in about two years has begun to move into the area, hitting the far south suburbs before rush hour. The storm system will move east as the afternoon turns to evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm was expected to blanket the area, especially east of Interstate 355, with 5 to 8 inches of snow — “maybe even a little bit more,” said Brett Borchardt, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Chicago area office. Light snowfall around sunset was expected to get heavier after dark, with 3 to 6 inches of the total snowfall expected overnight, between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.
A winter storm warning was in effect from 4 p.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday for Cook, DuPage and Will counties, with other parts of the Chicago area under warnings until midday Tuesday.
Keep up on the latest weather news by visiting the Tribune’s weather page.
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Here are the latest updates as the storm bears down on the Chicago area:
3:45 p.m.: Weather service says snow expected to start ‘across parts of northern Illinois’ soon after 3:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service’s Chicago area office said snow was expected to start in parts of northern Illinois soon after 3:30 p.m.
“The current forecast is for the heaviest snowfall to occur along and north of I-80 where a band of 4-7 inches is likely,” the weather service said. “Higher totals are possible closer to Lake Michigan.”
Forecast snow totals have been refined in the last few hours, with the heaviest snowfall, of 5-8 inches expected in Chicago, northern Cook County, Lake County, Illinois and eastern McHenry County, up into far southeastern Wisconsin.
—Chicago Tribune staff
3:15 p.m.: Snowplows at the ready
City and state transportation officials had snowplows at the ready Monday afternoon, bracing for the afternoon rush hour.
State officials and the city of Chicago had their snow command centers going, with snow plows and salt trucks ready to move, according to officials.
More than 280 trucks were ready to go in Chicago, and “Crews will work through the night clearing arterial streets & then head in to residential blocks,” according to the city.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Tollway has canceled all overnight roadwork through Wednesday, a spokesman said. — Chicago Tribune staff
3 p.m.: Snow hitting Peru, just outside Chicago area
Snow was falling in western, north-central and central Illinois by 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The official weather stations in Moline and Galesburg in western Illinois recorded light snow falling, as flurries fell in Peru, according to the National Weather Service. Flurries also were falling in Bloomington.
No weather stations in the Chicago area were reporting snowfall as of 3 p.m., however. — Chicago Tribune staff
3 p.m.: Officials warn drivers to slow down, take it easy in the snow
Law enforcement and other government officials reminded people to slow down in the snow and be careful around both snowplows and emergency vehicles.
“Reduce your risk of a collision by changing the way you drive, and being cautious around snow plows,” the National Weather Service’s Chicago office said.
“As the winter weather moves in this evening (of course at rush hour), please be aware of emergency equipment while you travel on our streets and expressways,” the Chicago Police Department’s Shakespeare District said in a tweet. “A little caution and some extra patience may prevent an accident or even injury. Safe travels!” — Chicago Tribune staff
