Overnight Freezing Rain, Ice Causes Delayed School Openings, ‘Very Slippery’ Morning Commute
Commuters Face Slick and Icy Conditions
Commuters are in for a slick and icy Thursday morning after overnight freezing rain left most of Northeastern Illinois blanketed in a sheet of ice.
Ice Accumulation
0.15 inches of ice was reported at O’Hare Airport and 0.14 inches at Midway Airport, according to the National Weather Service.
Slick Roads Cause Accidents and Delays
Slick roads caused several crashes and damage to vehicles. Between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, there were nine crashes with injuries, 76 property damage crashes and 38 calls for motorist assists, according to Illinois state police.
Icy roads caused a vehicle and tow truck to be briefly stuck on train tracks near Elmwood Park, causing delays of roughly 20 to 25 minutes to Metra’s Milwaukee District West line.
Travel Advisory Issued
“Take it slow,” Lee Carlaw, a meteorologist with the weather service, said. “Any of the less traveled or untreated surfaces are very slippery. That includes sidewalks and parking lots.”
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications urged commuters to allow for extra travel time due to the conditions.
“Slick is an understatement,” the OEMC posted on X, formally known as Twitter.
School Delays and Closures
Several Chicago-area districts delayed the start of the school day by two hours. The Kane County courthouse announced they’d be conducting hearings via zoom Thursday due to the inclement weather.
Weather Forecast
Weather officials earlier issued a winter weather advisory until 6 a.m. Thursday, warning of icy conditions and slick roads.
But temperatures were expected to climb above freezing by mid-to-late Thursday morning, weather officials said.
Despite blustery winds forecast Thursday, conditions would remain mainly dry with temps hovering in the upper 30s and low 40s for most of the day.
Temperatures are expected to cool to the mid-teens Thursday night and rise to the low to mid 30s during the daytime Friday.
However, there is a chance of another wintry mix of icy rain starting Friday night through Saturday, weather officials said.
Conclusion
Commuters are advised to exercise extreme caution while traveling on Thursday morning due to the icy conditions. With temperatures expected to rise above freezing by mid-morning, conditions should improve by the afternoon. However, it is essential to remain vigilant and prepared for any unexpected changes in the weather.
FAQs
Q: How much ice accumulated overnight?
A: 0.15 inches of ice was reported at O’Hare Airport and 0.14 inches at Midway Airport.
Q: How many accidents occurred due to the icy conditions?
A: Between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, there were nine crashes with injuries, 76 property damage crashes and 38 calls for motorist assists.
Q: Are there any school closures or delays?
A: Several Chicago-area districts delayed the start of the school day by two hours, and the Kane County courthouse announced they’d be conducting hearings via zoom Thursday due to the inclement weather.
Q: What is the forecast for the rest of the week?
A: Temperatures are expected to cool to the mid-teens Thursday night and rise to the low to mid 30s during the daytime Friday. There is a chance of another wintry mix of icy rain starting Friday night through Saturday.
