Winter storm dumps nearly 6 inches of snow on Chicago
CHICAGO - Chicago residents dug themselves out of several inches of snow Tuesday after a winter storm moved over the Chicago area.
O’Hare International Airport recorded six inches of snow just before 6 p.m. Tuesday after the system barreled into the region Monday afternoon.
That makes it the largest snowfall in Chicago since April 14, 2019, when 5.4 inches fell, according to the National Weather Service.
The snow was expected to continue through Tuesday evening, although the "worst is behind us," the National Weather Service said Tuesday.
Less snow fell on Midway Airport, which recorded 4.5 inches Tuesday. But the highest totals were in the north and northwest suburbs.
Palatine was hit the hardest, with 7.3 inches of snow recorded by Tuesday evening. Seven inches of snow fell on Schaumburg and Roselle.
The south and southwest suburbs saw lower snow totals, with 2.5 inches of snow having fallen in Romeoville by Tuesday evening.
The snow also affected regional transportation, as airlines at O’Hare reported 41 cancellations as of Tuesday evening, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Midway International Airport reported 32 cancellations in the last day.
About 300 salt spreaders were deployed along Chicago’s arterial routes and Lake Shore Drive, according to the Department of Streets and Sanitation. They were expected to move to residential streets once the snow stopped falling.
Due to icy conditions, the Chicago Park District closed the lakefront trails between North Avenue and Ohio Street until further notice.
Motorists were advised to drive slowly as the wind gusts and snow limited visibility.
As the storm moves over the area and temperatures dip, warming areas are available at the city’s six community service centers. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.