As the snow continued to fall early Thursday, forecasters said some northern Illinois communities could get another eight inches of lake-effect snow that could extend as far west as Joliet.
Another four to six inches of snow was expected in Chicago on Thursday.
Drivers returning to work after the New Year’s holiday were greeted with a slick and snowy morning commute Thursday, as a pair of weather systems continued dumping snow across the Chicago area.
The storm that arrived on New Year’s Eve dropped 5.1 inches of snow at O’Hare International Airport by midnight Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The wintry wallop came courtesy of a second weather system that moved in overnight, weather service meteorologist Matt Friedlein said, making roads icy and visibility poor during the drive to work.
A lake-effect snow warning is in effect until Thursday afternoon for Cook and Lake counties in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana.
Chicago’s full fleet of 287 snow plows and salt spreaders was deployed Tuesday afternoon and, since the snowfall has been almost constant, has been continuously working to clear main and arterial roadways, said Molly Poppe, spokeswoman for the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Many residential streets have yet to be plowed though, as the city’s trucks work to keep pace with the falling snow.
“We’re focusing on main streets right now,” Poppe said. “We’ll move to side and residential routes once our main roads are cleared... It’s obviously all contingent on when the snow stops.”
The city’s 26 smaller four-wheel drive plows will be dispatched once the city starts clearing side streets, she said, warning that residents should drive with caution as the roads are likely slippery in areas.
More than 635 flights were canceled Wednesday at O’Hare and another 275 were canceled by early Thursday morning, according to the city’s Department of Aviation. At Midway International Airport, observers reported 4.6 inches of snow and flights were delayed at least 25 minutes Thursday.
As of 6 a.m. Thursday, 10.1 inches of snow had fallen in north suburban Niles, and at least 9 inches had accumulated in some northwest suburbs including Richmond and Cary, meteorologists said. Nearly 8 inches had piled up in Norridge.
Elk Grove Village, Elgin and Niles all saw more than 7 inches of snow as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.
But once the snow finally stops falling by Friday morning, NWS meteorologist Charles Mott said there will be more bad news.
“Then we’re going to get cold,” Mott said.
The most optimistic forecast predicts Monday’s high temperature will be 0 degrees.
"New York Today: Big Snowstorm" by ANNIE CORREAL, New York Times 1/2/2013
Excerpt
Good morning and happy New Year.
A snowstorm could bring near-blizzard conditions and frigid temperatures tonight and on Friday, testing our newly inaugurated mayor.
Here’s what you need to know:
• Snow is falling and may mix with freezing drizzle during the day. But significant accumulations are likely only after 7 p.m.
• Accidents snarled some roadways this morning. New Jersey Transit is cross-honoring bus and train tickets systemwide.
• The evening commute could be treacherous. Consider leaving work early.
• Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo warned that some suburban highways might close this afternoon. He advised commuters to use mass transit to get home. “We are looking at a serious storm situation,” Mr. Cuomo said.
• The city has issued a hazardous travel advisory for late tonight and Friday.
• Public schools in the city are open. Some suburban schools are closing early or closed altogether.
• Alternate side of the street parking is suspended in the city.
• The forecast — a winter storm warning is in effect — calls for six to eight inches of snow by Friday, with the bulk of it falling overnight.
• Heavier snow is expected on Long Island, where a blizzard warning is in effect from 6 o’clock tonight to 1 p.m. Friday.
• Temperatures will hover around freezing today, with a high of 32, dropping to the teens overnight and staying there through Friday. Friday night could get down to single digits.
• That, combined with winds gusting to 30 miles an hour, will make it feel as if it’s below zero. Wear long johns.
• A coastal flood watch is in effect tonight.
• Track the progress of city plows here.
• Advice from the Red Cross on preparing for winter storms.
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