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Slick Streets Cause Accidents, Spin Outs, Prompting Road Closures in Chicago Area

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Cold and snow made for slick road conditions in the Chicago area Friday, causing numerous accidents and traffic headaches across the region. 

On the outbound Kennedy expressway, express lanes are closed between Ohio and Diversey, with ice and snow visible on the road surface. 

The lanes, which are opened electronically, remained closed throughout a good chunk of the day, causing delays on other area expressways, including the inbound Dan Ryan. 

In suburban Niles, police said just after 1 p.m. they were shutting down Dempster Street under the viaduct at Milwaukee Avenue due to icy roads and multiple accidents. 

Officers said the area was "extremely hazardous."

"Please slow down, there are extremely slippery conditions out there," the department tweeted. 

The area reopened just before 2 p.m. after public services salted the roadway, authorities announced. 

Meanwhile, in downtown Chicago, numerous cars were seen spinning out in the area of Columbus and Illinois. At least one accident was reported in the area. 

The slick roadways caused congestion on area interstates, particularly I-90/94. 

More than 200 plows were deployed into Chicago streets Friday morning as the city saw light snowfall, its first of the season. 

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But the light lake effect snow quickly grew stronger heading into the late morning hours before leaving the city. 

Snow showers were mainly seen in Chicago and other cities along the lakefront, including those in northwest Indiana.

The flurries were expected to continue on and off through the late morning and early afternoon hours, leaving behind anywhere from a dusting to an inch of accumulation possible.

Unseasonable cold was expected to linger throughout the day. 

Temperatures early Friday morning dipped to 18 degrees with wind chills in the single digits.

Your Photos: Season's First Snowfall in Chicago

That temperature recording ties the record-low temperature for Nov. 10 in Chicago which was set in 1986.

Though partly sunny skies will bring highs in the low- to mid-30s, things will again grow colder for the evening hours. 

Temps are expected to dip in the 20s overnight. 

Another chance for light snow showers returns Sunday, as light rain could turn to snow during the early morning hours.

Weekend highs are forecast to be in the low- to mid-40s.

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