The Chicago area is experiencing several rounds of winter weather, and several factors could make Tuesday’s storm particularly dangerous for travel.
“Plan for a significantly longer commute. Consider postponing your trip if you have the flexibility,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.
A winter weather advisory is currently in effect for all of Chicago, and a winter storm watch is also in effect for McHenry and DeKalb counties.
Those two counties could see the worst of the snowfall, with more than 6 inches of snow expected to fall by the time it all ends Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country could see 2 to 6 inches of snow, with most of the snow falling late Monday into Tuesday morning.
You can see a complete overview of the snow schedule here.
While the buildup is certainly higher than what we’ve seen so far this winter, there are other factors at play that could make travel dangerous. Snowfall amounts are expected to be especially heavy, with model guidance from the NBC 5 Storm Team and the National Weather Service suggesting 1 to 2 inches of snow could fall per hour.
Even with snowplows operating throughout the region, this level of snowfall makes it difficult to keep roads clear and visibility is greatly affected, creating a dangerous combination of factors.
The heaviest snow is expected to fall in the hours before dawn, and crews are likely to continue clearing roads as the morning commute begins.
More snow is expected across the region, with more snow accumulating in Chicago’s western and northern suburbs. Areas east of I-55 may see light snow and rain in the afternoon, but travel impacts will remain as the evening approaches.
Wind gusts are expected to increase throughout the day, reaching gusts of more than 30 mph by sunset. As a result, snow can reduce visibility and cause icing problems on untreated roads and elevated surfaces.
The winds are expected to continue into Wednesday, with light snow expected in the evening as the wintry weather continues.
For those who can’t postpone their Tuesday trip to Wednesday, IDOT has a road tracker on its website and you can also call 511 for traffic information.
The NWS is providing motorists with items such as cell phones, chargers, batteries, blankets, flashlights, first aid kits, nonperishable food, candles to melt snow, and bags of sand and cat litter to tow tires. We are asking people to pack an emergency supplies kit that includes:
Be sure to also have a shovel, ice scraper, and battery booster cable. Check all fluid levels, wipers, and battery before driving.
