A winter storm watch has been issued for the Chicago region as forecasters warn of potentially heavy snow by Thursday night.
The National Weather Service issued the winter storm watch for Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. A watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that could affect travel.
The snowfall will be preceded by thunderstorms tonight that could produce some snow, although it’s not expected to be enough to stay on the ground, the weather service predicts.
Meteorologist Ken Labas said temperatures are expected to drop 15 to 30 degrees overnight, into the mid-30s, and stay there through Thursday. He’s forecasting rain, sleet and perhaps snow in the next 24 hours.
The “main winter storm” will bear down Thursday night, Labas said, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and snow accumulating, although it’s too early to know how much.
“It could be significant, but at this point, it’s a little difficult to know for sure,” Labas said. “But the potential is there.”
The storm front gradually moving northeast through the city and suburbs today continued to cause problems at Midway and O’Hare.
As of 5 p.m., O’Hare was reporting delays ranging from one to two hours on all flights due to low visibility, rain and lightning. More than 120 flights had been canceled, according to Wendy Abrams, Department of Aviation spokeswoman.Flights at Midway were running between 30 minutes and two hours late.
Abrams warned all travelers passing through Chicago’s airports to check in with their airline ahead of time on the status of their flights.
– – –
WINTER ROAD RULES
Winter parking restrictions will take effect early Friday throughout Chicago, officials said.
The seasonal parking ban, which runs through April 1, prohibits motorists from parking along marked arterial streets from 3 to 7 a.m. Those streets–totaling 107 miles–are designated as “priority routes” during the winter, regardless of whether there is snow.
An additional 500 miles of streets have parking bans that activate when there is 2 inches of snow on the ground, officials said. Those restrictions are in effect year-round.
Motorists who violate the bans face a $50 fine and $150 towing fee. They also will be charged $10 for each day their vehicle is stored after towing.
In addition, the speed limit on parts of North Lake Shore Drive will be reduced by 5 m.p.h. starting Friday.
The speed limit on Lake Shore from Hollywood Avenue to Oak Street will be 40 m.p.h. until April 1. The lower speed helps protect plants on the median from de-icing chemicals sprayed on the road, officials said.
— Tribune
