The Chicago area's average first snowfall typically comes on Nov. 18. This year, it came a few days early.
According to NBC 5 Storm Team, widespread snow in the Chicago area began around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Snow showers are expected to continue on and off, with a rain and snow mix along the lakefront. According to forecast models, lake effect snow will continue to develop this afternoon north of the city in Lake, McHenry and northern Cook County, where higher snow totals are expected to be recorded.
Read More: Tracking Chicago Snow Totals, Accumulation as Area Sees First Measurable Snowfall of 2022
Here's a look at what the snow looks like across the Chicago suburbs Tuesday morning.
Gurnee
The brunt of the storm though is expected to impact McHenry, Lake and DuPage counties, as well as northern and central Cook counties. There, a winter weather advisory went into effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Local
Lisle
In the Western suburb of Lisle, photos show a light layer of snow blanketing the area around Lisle Metra station. As of 6:20 a.m., in DuPage county near Woodridge, 2.3 inches of snow has fallen, according to the National Weather Service.
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Elk Grove Village
Elk in Elk Grove Village appear unbothered by the light dusting of snow on the ground. About seven miles away, at O'Hare International Airport, as of 6:20 a.m., the National Weather Service recorded .06 inches of snow.
Deerfield
Snow blankets yards and driveways in Deerfield. According to NBC 5 Storm Team, the brunt of the storm though is expected to impact McHenry, Lake and DuPage counties, as well as northern and central Cook counties.
Elgin
Snow rests quietly on trees in Elgin, about 35 miles outside Chicago.
Arlington Heights
In the northwest suburbs, snow fell early Tuesday morning.
Current Snow Totals
According to NWS, as of 6:25 a.m, 2.4 inches of snow has fallen in Will County near Plainfield, .06 inches has fallen at O'Hare International Airport, and .04 inches has fallen at Midway International Airport.
In Kendall county, 1.7 inches of snow has fallen, and in DuPage county near Woodridge, 2.3 inches of snow has fallen.
South of the city, a winter weather advisory for LaSalle, Grundy, Will and Kankakee counties went into effect at 4 a.m., According to the National Weather Service, that advisory will expire at noon.
The brunt of the storm though is expected to impact McHenry, Lake and DuPage counties, as well as northern and central Cook counties. There, a winter weather advisory went into effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the NWS, snow is expected to fall on-and-off throughout that time frame, with flakes creating slushy accumulations on roadways.
Along the lakefront however, the snow accumulation is expected to be limited, thanks to warmer air blowing off the water.
To the west, a winter weather advisory will take effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and southern Cook counties. That will run through midnight.
How Much Snow Accumulation is Expected?
Overall, the Chicago area can expect to see 1-3 inches of snow accumulation, NBC 5 Storm Steam says, with totals reaching up to 6 inches in some areas. Here's a breakdown:
- LaSalle, Grundy, Will, Kankakee Counties: 1-2 inches expected
- McHenry, Lake, DuPage, northern and central Cook Counties: 2-6 inches expected, with higher amounts farther away from the lake
- DeKalb, Kendall, Kane, southern Cook Counties: 1-3 inches expected
How Cold Will it Be?
According to NBC 5 Storm Team, temperatures are expected to be above freezing, climbing into the upper 30s. A high of 39 degrees is expected around 3 p.m., according to forecast models.
However, while a mix of rain and snow will continue through at least Wednesday, much colder temperatures are expected to set in by Friday.
Track the Storm
Winter Driving in Chicago
According to NWS, slippery road conditions are expected during Tuesday's morning and evening commutes.
Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications suggests people allow more time for driving, give extra space between vehicles and make room for emergency responders.
OEMC works in conjunction with Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation, which has 425,000 tons of salt and a fleet of more than 200 trucks ready to be deployed across the city.
"We just ask people to be conscious that it is the first snow," said Cole Stallard, commissioner of the Department of Streets and Sanitation. "It is in the morning rush hour. Talk to those young drivers in the house that this may be their first time heading off to school driving."
When Does Chicago Typically See its First Snowfall?
According to the National Weather Service, the average date that Chicago typically sees its first measurable snowfall is Nov. 18.
O'Hare International Airport has seen two ends of extremes in recent years, with 2019's first measurable snowfall coming on Oct. 30, the seventh-earliest measurable snowfall in Chicago since 1967.
Read More: Chicago Could See a Snowier Winter Than Normal. See NOAA's New Predictions
Just last year, Chicago saw its latest first measurable snowfall of all-time, according to the National Weather Service. Snow did not fall at O'Hare Airport until Dec. 28, when 1.5 inches of snowfall were recorded.
The earliest snowfall record was set on Oct. 12, 2006, when 0.3 inches of snow fell at O'Hare.
Here's a look at when the city saw its first snowfall over the past 10 years, and how much snow fell:
- 2012: Dec. 20, 0.2 inches
- 2013: Nov. 11, 0.4 inches
- 2014: Oct. 31, 0.1 inches
- 2015: Nov. 20, 4.2 inches
- 2016: Dec. 4, 6.4 inches
- 2017: Nov. 10, 0.1 inches
- 2018: Nov. 9, 1 inch
- 2019: Oct. 30, 1.2 inches
- 2020: Nov. 24, 0.7 inches
- 2021: Dec. 28, 1.5 inches
