Heavier snowfall totals expected Thursday in Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Chicago area's first snow of the year began Wednesday evening, and forecast snowfall totals keep on increasing.
A strong low-pressure system from Canada has moved over the Great Lakes, and will bring the coldest air of the fall season so far to Chicago along with the first snowfall.
A rain/snow mix was developing as the Wednesday evening rush got under way and was set to transition to all snow Wednesday night—with minor accumulations possible by Thursday morning.
Periods of light snow with blustery winds continue overnight as temperatures fall below freezing for the first time this season for Chicago.
The heaviest snow is expected Thursday morning, when a strong burst of snow with heavy rates around 1 inch per hour is forecast between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Forecast snow totals have been steadily increased. The city of Chicago and the rest of Cook County, Lake County to the north, and parts of Will and Kankakee counties and Northwest Indiana to the south and southeast, are all likely to see a slushy 2 to 3 inches of accumulation.
Even higher snowfall totals are possible in parts of Northwest Indiana. Lower totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected farther in the western suburbs.
Snow is expected all the way up to the lakefront, as cold offshore winds mean lakefront communities will not be kept warmer by mild water temperatures.
Heavy snow Thursday morning will create slick spots and reduce the visibility to half a mile or less.
Snow transitions back to light rain late Thursday afternoon before wrapping up entirely. Milder temperatures blow in Thursday night, quickly melting any accumulation.
Transportation, sanitation departments at the ready for the roads
Transportation and sanitation departments around the area were working Wednesday afternoon to get out ahead of the snow.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation announced that it has deployed salt spreader trucks overnight ahead of the snow. Crews will work into the morning commute to monitor arterial roads, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and bridges and overpasses to keep them clear.
Streets and San noted that it has more than 300 snow plow vehicles at the ready in the event of winter weather, and 425,000 tons of salt.
The Illinois Department of Transportation said its crews will be out all night through Thursday morning addressing any issues that may arise. The Indiana Department of Transportation said it plans to have a small number of trucks out in Northwest Indiana in the early morning hours to monitor the situation as rain switches over to snow—and will scale up the number of trucks as needed.
Kane County Maintenance Supt. Michael Way says 21 snow plow trucks are at the ready, each on a different route. Kane County will also be using new technology such as 20 min-weather statements to provide updates on temperatures and early snow coverage estimates.
Forecast at a glance
Wednesday night: Snow showers. Low around 30.
Thursday: Heavy wet snow in the morning changing to rain in the afternoon. High 42.
Friday: Mostly cloudy and windy. High 47.
Stay with the CBS News Chicago First Alert Weather team through this first brush with wintry weather of the season.