Snow Plows Hit the Streets
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 | Updated 1:10 AM CST
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It came late in the day, but the Chicago area finally received some semblance of a white Christmas.
As temperatures dropped below the freezing point during the day, the scattered rain turned to light snow.
Chicago Snow Command sent 175 trucks to patrol routes on Chicago's main route system, which includes all main streets and Lake Shore Drive.
Motorists are advised to drive with caution.
Flood warnings, watches and advisories remained in effect for several area counties.
In downtown Chicago, caution tape was placed around many high-rise buildings warning of falling ice.
"I almost got chucked in the head with a piece of falling ice. I missed the sign that said to watch out for falling ice so I've got to be careful. There's a guardian angel around me," said a Michigan Avenue shopper Thursday.
ComEd reported workers had restored power to 90 percent of its customers affected by Thursday's ice storm. About 8,000 residents in the western service area still don't have power, a spokeswoman said.
Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, last-minute Christmas Eve shoppers were not fazed.
"I think it's a good day to shop. It's not too cold. I have a light jacket on, so it's not too cold, especially the day before Christmas," another shopper said along the Mag Mile.
Check in with NBCChicago for up to the minute weather alerts, traffic alerts, airport delays and school closings related to the holiday weather.
Posted Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 - 6:59 AM CST
