What to Know
- Three to six inches of snow could fall in Lake and McHenry counties between Monday evening and Tuesday morning
- Closer to Chicago, a mix of freezing rain and snow could snarl the evening commute Monday
Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation released a statement Monday saying they would activate a Phase II program in response to winter weather during the evening rush--deploying 211 snow vehicles.
"Salt spreaders will be working with a focus on keeping the City’s arterial routes and Lake Shore Drive safe and passable for motorists and buses until the precipitation stops, then transitioning to residential streets if needed," read the statement.
A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for part of the Chicago area Monday evening as a developing system could bring several inches of snow and accumulating ice by Tuesday afternoon.
Interactive Radar | Forecast | Weather Alerts
Send Us a Photo/Video
DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, and Cook counties were under the advisory beginning at 6 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday. In McHenry and Lake counties the advisory will continue until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the advisory, McHenry and Lake counties could see anywhere from three to six inches of snow, which could also mix with freezing rain at times.
"DSS manages more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway and maintains a fleet of over 300 snow vehicles that are fully prepared to respond if needed," said the press release.
Local
Ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch are possible, particularly in southern portions of the counties.
Gorgeous Photos of Nature Covered in Ice in Chicago Area
In DeKalb, Kane, DuPage and Cook Counties, mixed precipitation is expected.
First, freezing rain and snow are possible early Monday evening, transitioning to all freezing rain later in the evening and through Tuesday morning.
Motorists should expect slippery roads and limited visibility, according to the National Weather Service, and are advised to use caution on the roadways.
Anywhwere from one to three inches of snow will be possible with the system, though the highest accumulations are expected in areas north of Chicago. Ice accumulations of up to a quarter inch are also possible in Kane and DeKalb counties.
Strong winds are expected to develop late Tuesday, bringing the potential for blowing snow and a threat for power power outages, especially in areas with significant ice accumulations.
Check back with the NBC 5 Storm Team as this forecast continues to develop.
