Crashing waves prompted lane closures on Lake Shore Drive Friday.
Officials said some northbound lanes were closed due to “high winds causing water to flow” onto the roadway.
“The City's Departments of Streets and Sanitation and Water Management are currently working to remove water off of the Drive,” the Office of Emergency Management and Communications said in a statement. “We are urging motorists to drive with caution and recommending they use an alternate route in the meantime.”
Chicago Police News Affairs said the closures were in effect in the northbound lanes from the 1200 block to the 1500 block of North Lake Shore Drive.
The National Weather Service issued a Lakeshore Flood Advisory Friday afternoon in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday. The warning warns of winds up to 50 mph and 23-foot waves.
NWS also issued a Wind Advisory for the area, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
Winds of between 25 mph and 35 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph are expected by early Friday afternoon, according to the NWS, and even stronger winds are likely near Lake Michigan.
As of 9 a.m., O'Hare International Airport canceled more than 300 flights because of windy, rainy and snowy conditions. Delays and cancellations are expected to increase throughout the day. Midway International Airport reported normal operations as of Friday morning.
NBC 5 weather models show lake-effect rain showers mixing with snow at times, and a few thunderstorms will be possible along the South Shore.
