Drivers warned of dangers on Chicago roads due to freezing rain, snow

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.