Travelers are being warned of dangerous road conditions Tuesday as a wintery mix of rain, freezing rain and snow is forecast to move through the Chicago area.
Ice accumulation of a tenth to a quarter of an inch is expected in the afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said in a winter weather advisory. The precipitation could change to snow through the evening, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible in parts of the north and northwest suburbs. Less than an inch of snow was expected at O’Hare International Airport.
The evening commute is expected to be hazardous and slippery, the weather service said. Temperatures will rise into the low-to-mid 30s, but surfaces will remain cold and freezing, the weather service said. The weather advisory lasts until midnight.
More than 100 schools, day care centers and park districts throughout the Chicago area have closed early or canceled Tuesday evening activities because of the weather, according to the Emergency Closing Center.
As of 1:30 p.m., 462 flights were canceled at O’Hare and delays were averaging more than an hour, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Midway International Airport saw 80 cancellations and delays were averaging 38 minutes.
There is a chance of snow on Wednesday, and daytime temperatures are expected to stay in the 20s to low 30s, the weather service said.
1PM Update: Freezing rain/drizzle will affect area thru mid aftn, changing to snow north of a roughly Dixon-Elgin-Waukegan line mid-late aftn. Note: temps will gradually rise to above 32° I-80 & south thru aftn but cold ground/road temps will continue icing threat. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/QmYRrGAItf
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 22, 2019
Freezing drizzle/freezing rain is quickly expanding & if it has not yet started in your area, it will within next hr or 2. Already getting reports of icy roads & accidents. Use extreme caution driving. Slow down & increase following distance. Use caution walking too. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/41XljXpwtk
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 22, 2019