Editor's Note: We're tracking the winter storm throughout the day. You can find our latest weather news here.
Hundreds of schools, colleges, day care centers, libraries and more were closed across Illinois on Friday due to a powerful winter storm that has already dumped several inches of snow across the city and its suburbs, with up to a foot of snow expected in some areas. Saturday afternoon parts.
The closures range from schools in nearly every district and suburb in the Chicago area, including Joliet, Wilmette, Elgin, Forest Park, New Lenox, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Niles, Midlothian, Tinley Park, Glencoe, McHenry, Arlington Heights and more.
As of 7 a.m., Chicago Public Schools remained open.
“CPS is currently monitoring the weather,” a message posted on the CPS website said. “Reminder: CPS schools are open unless the district announces otherwise.”
MORE: Ground stop issued at O'Hare due to storm; More than 600 flights were canceled at O'Hare and Midway
Here's how to check if your child's school is closed
There's an easy way to track school closures across the state, from public schools to private schools to day care and more. The Emergency Closure Center lists school closures, businesses, day care centers and other organizations in the Chicago area.
Go here to find the complete list of Chicago school closings.
You can also go to the list from the main menu of the NBC Chicago home page, under the “Weather” section, click “School Closings.”
“Consider postponing travel,” the NWS says.
With snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches of snow per hour reported across the region, the National Weather Service is urging residents to consider postponing travel due to hazardous conditions.
Additionally, NWS snowfall reports show how quickly snow will fall in the area.
In Sugar Grove, snow began falling around 4 a.m. Friday, and by the time the report was received, there was already five inches of snow on the ground, according to an NWS observer.
In Joliet, 4.1 inches of snow has already been recorded, and in Oswego, 4.3 inches of snow has fallen.
