A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 9 p.m. but the snow is moving out of the Chicago area.
Totals range from 3 to 4 inches far north sections near the Wisconsin line to 4 to 6 inches in the city and 5 to 7 inches in south portions of the Metro area.
The snow fell intensely for much of the afternoon with visibilities 1/2 mile or less and often near zero in white-out conditions snarling traffic and creating a nightmarish gridlocked evening commute. Thundersnow occurred in many area during the afternoon, the city’s first encounter with it since the Ground Hog Day Blizzard back in February, 2-11.
Skies will clear tonight as temperatures dip into the upper teens.
Breezy west winds and a decent amount of sunshine will help boost temperatures into the upper 30s Tuesday.
LATEST UPDATES AT CHICAGO WEATHER CENTER
METRA UP-NW UPDATE: Trains now on move through DesPlaines after earlier crash inv. train & car. Operating at restricted speed. Delays cont.—
(@ChicagoDrives) February 17, 2014
If you must drive, expect your trip to take much longer than normal. Take it slow. wrc.gettingaroundillinois.com #ilwx http://t.co/LDMc7NmtMZ—
IDOT (@IDOT_Illinois) February 17, 2014
UPDATE:Ramps from NB Dan Ryan to EB & WB I-290 now back open. Were shut down since 3:30 due to several stuck vehicles/semis.Still very slick—
(@ChicagoDrives) February 17, 2014
Update from Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation:
The Department of Streets and Sanitation’s full snow plow fleet of 287 snow plows and salt spreaders continues to clear main routes and Lake Shore Drive. Plows have focused all day on arterial routes to ensure streets are safe and clear for motorists and emergency vehicles during the evening commute. Once the snow stops and main streets are clear, plows will move to neighborhood streets.
To view the snow fleet in real time visit http://www.chicagoshovels.org. For additional updates on snow removal efforts, follow the Department on Twitter @Streetsandsan.
NB #DanRyan is a parking lot. Jackknifed semi blocked traffic during snowstorm. Latest on commute @WGNNews http://t.co/A9sJXctiMr—
Sean Lewis (@seanlewiswgn) February 17, 2014
Coming IB on Dan Ryan? Still no access to EB or WB I-290. Coming IB on I-290? Still no access to NB Kennedy! Vehicles/semis stuck on ramps.—
(@ChicagoDrives) February 17, 2014
UPDATES FROM CHICAGO’S AIRPORTS
O’Hare – Delays of 30 minutes; more than 770 flights canceled
Midway – Varying length delays, more than 270 flights canceled
Vehicles are being reported in ditches in many areas. Please don't drive unless you have to. Hazardous travel conditions today. #ilwx—
IDOT (@IDOT_Illinois) February 17, 2014
There have been quite a few reports of “thundersnow” today.
Check out this pic from @LRoseKelly of Roosevelt Rd btw Wabash & Michigan Ave!! #WGNWinter pic.twitter.com/8fHAMAPgS0 http://t.co/7IKqFjK5En—
(@ChicagoDrives) February 17, 2014
Travel times are already a mess due to the slick roads and white out conditions. EB I-290 almost at 2 hours!!! http://t.co/yZrrNN026Q—
(@ChicagoDrives) February 17, 2014
Whiteout in Crystal Lake. #CrystalLake @WeatherBug http://t.co/nN04xbBGHm—
Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) February 17, 2014
Tom Skilling’s latest forecast:
New lightning strikes east of I-39 in DeKalb & La Salle Counties. Radar + lightning detection. #thundersnow http://t.co/uiwnDiIFlN—
Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) February 17, 2014
Some schools and other organizations are closing early or canceling evening events due to the accumulating snow.
For the full list, go to wgntv.com/closings
This will probably evolve into a "high impact" storm for Chicago. Intense snowfall rates + weekday PM = travel nightmare.—
Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) February 17, 2014
LATEST AIRPORT DELAYS:
O’Hare – Delays of 45 minutes; 680 flights proactively cancelled
Midway – Delays of 2 hours; 200 flights cancelled
Tweet from a viewer – stay safe on the roads, folks!
Almost white out conditions in Winnetka-note the car in our lane 1/2 block up. @WGNNews http://t.co/JSkwjjl3Hr—
KHJ5125 (@khj5125) February 17, 2014
Nearly 200 snow fighters deployed as winter weather moves across Chicago #chicagoshovels chicagoshovels.org—
(@StreetsandSan) February 16, 2014
To view the snow fleet in real time visit http://www.chicagoshovels.org.
Flights at both of Chicago’s airports are being canceled before storm really rolls in.
Airlines canceled 420 flights at O’Hare and 135 at Midway.
Trish
why is 4-8 inches a storm………that is laughable
Kim Jersak
What's laughable, excuse me despicable, is this bald dominated weather team at the pathetic WGN network uses extremes to bring up ratings which obviously are in the tank. Nobody else is predicting these inflated numbers. Loserville USA…WGN.
bubba
Like we haven't had enough.