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Chicago-Area Residents Face Icy Roads as Winter Weather Advisory Takes Effect
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A winter weather advisory is set to take effect Wednesday afternoon across northern Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana, bringing up to one-tenth of an inch of ice that could coat untreated roadways and sidewalks, as well as power lines and tree branches. The advisory will remain in effect until Thursday morning, impacting areas including LaSalle, Grundy, and Kankakee counties in Illinois, and Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana.
According to officials, most of the area will experience some degree of icing on roadways, bridges, overpasses, and sidewalks, with locally heavier amounts of ice possible. NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes warns that accumulations exceeding one-tenth of an inch could lead to additional hazards, such as power outages caused by the weight of ice on power lines.
The storm is expected to impact southern parts of the Chicago area during the mid-to-late afternoon, with freezing rain developing during the late evening commute and continuing past sunset. The main impacts of the wintry weather will be felt between 8 p.m. and midnight, with patchy drizzle still possible into the overnight hours, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team. Travel could be significantly impacted, especially on untreated surfaces, with bridges and overpasses being most susceptible to ice buildup.
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution, reducing speed and ensuring tires are properly inflated. Pedestrians should also take precautions, wearing footwear with rubber treads and taking shorter steps to maintain balance on icy surfaces, advises the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Temperatures are expected to rise into the low-40s by Thursday, helping to melt remaining ice. However, another storm system is forecasted to hit the area on Saturday, potentially bringing a wintry mix of snow or additional freezing rain north of Interstate 80 in Illinois, while areas south of the highway may see mostly rain.
Cooler temperatures are anticipated to follow, with highs dipping into the low-30s and mid-to-upper 20s as the new work week begins. Residents are advised to stay tuned to the latest forecast updates from the NBC 5 Storm Team for further developments.