Chicago weather: Freezing temps, light snow expected as winter storm moves north

There’s still a 20% chance of more snow early Monday, but rising temperatures early this week will bring a little relief.

By Jermaine Nolen

Someone walks a dog along the lakefront near Fullerton Avenue on Sunday, Jan. 12. — It was still brisk Sunday morning, but it was a lot nicer than Saturday — nice enough for someone to take a dog for a walk along the lakefront near Fullerton Avenue.

The year’s first major winter storm has moved on from Chicago, and though there’s a chance of a little more snow falling during the Monday morning commute, rising temperatures early this week will bring a little relief.

Saturday’s storm included high waves pounding the Lake Michigan shoreline, flooding parts of Lake Shore Drive and South Shore Drive. More than 1,200 flights also were canceled at the city’s airports.

Steady rain throughout Saturday turned into snow by night, with 2.1 inches recorded at O’Hare International Airport and 1.2 inches at Midway International Airport by the end of the storm, according to the National Weather Service.

Part of the concrete wall is shown toppled Sunday along the Lakefront Trail near 67th Street and South Shore Drive. The area was hit by high waves during Saturday’s winter storm.

Bill Fay and daughter Annabel went sledding in Lincoln Park on Sunday.

Sunday’s high temps were right at freezing — 32 degrees at Midway and 31 at O’Hare airports, the weather service said.

There’s still a 20% chance of more snow Monday before 7 a.m., the weather service said. The rest of the day is forecast to be mostly cloudy with temperatures near 40 degrees and wind gusts up to 15 mph, and a 30% chance of snow flurries Monday night.

A light mix of freezing drizzle and snow is possible north of Interstate 80 Sunday night, with expected snow accumulations less than a half-inch near Waukegan, the weather service said.

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, The Chicago Department of Aviation reported 98 flight cancellations at O’Hare and 2 at Midway, with delays at both airports averaging less than 15 minutes.

A light wintry mix of freezing drizzle and snow is possible north tonight. Minor accumulations of snow <0.5” and/or a light glaze of ice are possible generally north of a Dixon to Elgin to Waukegan line. Any impact should remain limited to elevated or untreated surfaces. pic.twitter.com/VCwRRVyoFd
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 12, 2020

The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed over 200 snow vehicles to spread salt over “arterial routes” and Lake Shore Drive on Saturday before turning their attention residential streets early Sunday, the agency said. Cook County streets were clear as of 11 a.m., while neighboring Lake County and LaSalle County reported streets partly covered with ice or snow.

Tuesday, temperatures should peak at 44, with the rest of the week remaining in the mid-to-high 30s, the weather service said. Rain and snow are expected to make spotty appearances throughout the week, with the possibility of precipitation on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.