Heavy lake-effect snow dumps 7+ inches on Chicago area
CHICAGO - Over seven inches of lake-effect snow fell early Friday in parts of Chicago with more expected in the afternoon.
The snow started falling around midnight and, by noon, 7.2 inches of snow was recorded at Midway Airport, according to the National Weather Service.
A Winter Storm Warning was extended for parts of Cook County until 2 p.m. Temperatures were expected to drop into the low 20s Friday evening, and additional snowfall could range between 1 and 3 inches.
By 6 a.m., Midway Airport had recorded 6.4 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Three inches of snow fell in Evanston and 1.1 inches at O’Hare International Airport in the same period.
About 270 snow plows hit the streets of Chicago overnight, according to the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Several private schools in the Chicago area announced they were closed for in-person instruction.
Over 250 flights were canceled at Chicago airports Friday with O'Hare reporting delays of up to 50 minutes.
Later in the day, it was forecast to be just cold with some sunshine breaking out as the lake-effect snow moves away.
Highs have already happened in the morning with temps falling below zero over much of Chicagoland at night; wind chills to about -15°.
The weekend is quiet with a mix of clouds and sun. Highs will be low 20s tomorrow and near 30° on Sunday.
The forecast focus shifts to an active period starting with rain Tuesday the transitioning to a likely mix of ice and snow intermittently from Tuesday night through Thursday.
Far too soon to offer any specifics, merely highlighting the growing risk of a disruptive period of wintry weather.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.