Though we have now officially passed the halfway point of winter, Chicago finds itself in the middle of a winter storm that has wreaked havoc across the area the last couple of weeks causing problems for drivers, sub-zero temperatures that have rivaled Alaska and even frost quakes.
Tuesday will see continued bad weather starting with freezing rain and ice accumulations creating widespread “treacherous travel conditions” for commuters.
A winter weather advisory was in effect overnight through 9 am this morning and the National Weather Service is encouraging people to postpone or cancel travel where possible.
There will be “rain or freezing rain before 2 pm, then a chance of rain between 2 pm and 5 pm” according to the National Weather Service. “Patchy fog after 2 pm. High near 35. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%.”
Rain will continue into this evening though winds will begin to calm and the chance of precipitation will drop to 60%.
Schools across the Chicago area have decided to close due to the icy conditions. The Emergency Closing Center reports that more than 60 public schools, private schools, colleges, and daycare centers have delayed their opening times, resorted to e-learning schedules, or closed completely for the day.
At the time of writing Chicago Public Schools have not announced any delays or closures.
View the full list of today’s school closures.
The National Weather Service expects the damp and cloudy conditions to stay with dense fog arriving tonight and the potential for a more wintry mix later this week. Chicago will experience more rain tomorrow but not the freezing kind that has caused hazardous travel conditions over the last 24 hours.
As ever, you can head to the National Weather Service website for all the latest weather forecasts and warnings while www.gettingaroundillinois.com has all the latest road conditions around Illinois.
[Featured image from Shutterstock]