Chicago dodges heavy snow, but cold temps and wind remain

Though Chicago avoided an all-out snowstorm Tuesday evening, heavy winds and cold temperatures will linger.

By noon Wednesday, 1.7 inches of snow fell at O’Hare International Airport — a far cry from the six inches of “heavy, wet snow” forecasters had predicted might fall, according to the National Weather Service.

Farther south, 2.7 inches of snow were recorded at Midway Airport, weather service meteorologist Matt Friedlein said.

But snow remained falling Wednesday evening in northwest Indiana, where Valparaiso recorded 4.5 inches, Friedlein said.

Hank, an Australian cattle dog, plays fetch in Smith Park as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A resident shovels the sidewalk on the West Side as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A crossing guard stands on a corner on the Near West Side as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People walk on the West Side as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A woman shields her face from the wind on the Near West Side as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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People walk on the West Side as snow falls on the Chicago area during the morning commute, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A winter weather advisory expired at noon, 6 hours earlier than expected, Friedlein said.

“There may be snow flurries into tonight, but there will be no impact on travel for the most part,” he said.

Wednesday afternoon will be breezy with northwest winds of 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, according to the weather service. The wind will continue into Thursday with gusts of 20 mph.

Wednesday’s temperatures are expected to fall to about 19 degrees at night, the weather service predicts. Those temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week, with sunny skies providing a respite from the snowfall.