UPDATE: Dangerous road conditions have emerged across the Chicago area following an overnight snowfall, prompting officials to issue urgent alerts for drivers. The hazardous weather has already led to school closures and delayed starts in several districts.
As of early Monday morning, December 4, 2023, ABC7 meteorologists issued an AccuWeather Alert, warning of potentially perilous travel conditions for the morning commute. Areas hit by intense lake-effect snow have seen snowfall rates between 1 to 2 inches per hour, with some locations accumulating over 3 inches already.
Light snow showers are expected to persist throughout the afternoon, exacerbating the situation. Areas under a Winter Storm Warning could receive between 3 and 6 inches of snow, increasing the risk for motorists.
Air travel is also heavily affected as more than 400 flights have been canceled at Chicago O’Hare and Midway airports over the weekend. As of 4 a.m. Monday, O’Hare reported 231 cancellations with delays averaging 24 minutes. Midway faced 130 cancellations and an average delay of 15 minutes.
The City of Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation has deployed salt-spreader trucks to mitigate severe winter weather impacts on roadways, urging residents to exercise caution while driving. The city is taking proactive measures to ensure public safety.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for several counties, including:
- Lake County, Illinois until 9 a.m. Monday
- Cook and Will counties until noon Monday
- Kankakee County until noon Monday
- Lake and Porter counties, Indiana until 6 p.m. Monday
- Starke, Marshall, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Berrien counties until midnight Tuesday
Additionally, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for DuPage and Will counties until noon, and for Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana from midnight to 6 p.m. Monday.
Residents and travelers are advised to remain updated on conditions and take necessary precautions. With ongoing snowfall and forecasts predicting further accumulation, safety remains a top priority.
