A winter storm is expected to hit the Chicago area Friday morning, dropping several inches of snow on the city and its suburbs.
A National Weather Service winter storm watch will be in effect from 3 a.m. Friday through noon Saturday as the region prepares for what should be a more severe storm than the one that struck earlier this week.
A number of schools in the Chicago area canceled in-person learning on Friday. Chicago Public Schools says it is monitoring the situation and has not yet canceled classes as of Thursday evening.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that the storm will arrive early Friday, accompanied by a mix of rain and snow. Rain will turn to snow by 3pm and could be heavy at times, complicating the afternoon commute for those trying to get home for the weekend.
Heavy snowfall is expected to end on Saturday. By the end of the storm, total accumulation is expected to reach between 6 and 12 inches in the Chicago area, according to the weather service.
Anyone hoping for the snow to melt quickly will be disappointed. A “big ball of cold air” is headed toward Chicago right after that, and is expected to drop temperatures into the single digits, according to Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Daum.
On Sunday, the maximum temperature will be around 5 degrees, and the minimum is expected to be around 10 degrees below zero. It will be quite cold on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is expected to be partly sunny with a high around 3 degrees. The cold wave is expected to continue until mid-week.
Schools closed in the Chicago area
Many suburban school districts canceled in-person classes and activities for Friday, according to the Center for Emergency Closures website. As of Thursday evening, Chicago Public Schools says it is monitoring the weather forecast and has not yet canceled classes.
Some districts will move to an e-learning day instead of in-person learning. A complete list of closures can be found in the Emergency Closure Center.
Illinois toll roads are bracing for a storm
The Illinois Tollway plans to deploy all 196 snow plows to clear roads across 12 northern Illinois counties throughout Friday, and the Illinois Department of Transportation will have more than 1,800 trucks across the state plowing snow and salty roads.
The Department of Transport warned drivers of slippery roads and low visibility, while advising people to plan extra travel time.
Motorists are advised to travel with at least half a tank of fuel and properly inflated tires. The Illinois Tollway also suggests charging your cell phone before leaving and bringing gloves, shoes, blankets, extra water, and a flashlight with working batteries.
If you need help, turn on your emergency lights and stay in your car until help arrives, the agency said. Dial *999 for roadside assistance.
Current road conditions can be monitored at getaroundillinois.com/winterconditions.
Cook County to open 24-hour warming centers
As snow and cold fall on the Chicago area, Cook County will open 24-hour warming centers from 3 p.m. Saturday until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
24-hour warming centers are located at the following locations:
- Skokie Courthouse (5600 Old Orchard Road)
- Maywood Court (1500 Maybrook Road)
- Markham Court (16501 S. Kedzie Street)
Water, snacks, and restrooms will be provided at the warming centers. Pets in cages or carriers are also welcome, and the county will provide a limited number of crates at each court, according to the release.
Other warming centers in Cook County and their hours of operation can be found on the county website.
The county also offered other tips for residents trying to stay warm — including warnings about portable space heaters and electric heaters. Make sure portable heaters are unplugged when not in use, and keep electric heaters away from flammable materials.
The county advises that ovens and grills should never be used for heating, and residents should keep their homes warm or run faucets with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
“Blizzard potential for heart attack.”
Meteorologists say this week that the coming storm has the potential to produce similar impacts as the “Heart Attack Blizzard,” a blizzard that struck Chicago on Dec. 15, 1987. That storm dropped 8 to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow and appeared extended. A series of intense thunder, lightning and strong winds. Twenty-six people died, most of them from heart attacks while trying to shovel items.
Forecasters are debating whether high winds Friday night will technically lead to a snow storm. That would require sustained winds of 35 mph and visibility of less than a quarter-mile for at least three hours, said Jake Peter, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Romeoville. Current projections indicate a 30% chance of this happening.
However, the weather service warned that the storm would present “life-threatening travel conditions.”
Second storm of the week
The expected storm on Friday comes a few days after the first impactful winter storm in the region this season. However, the suburbs bore the brunt of that storm, and its impact was limited in Chicago. Most areas of the city saw only a few inches of snow, most of which melted.
Airports are likely to see delays and cancellations this weekend. On Tuesday, O'Hare Airport suspended flights, resulting in 199 flight cancellations. 42 flights were canceled at Medway Airport.
Contributing: David Strout, Cady Heather, Katie Anthony
