Thursday morning update: Our latest story with updated numbers can be found here. Our original story continues below.
An ice storm left thousands without power and caused massive traffic disruptions on Chicago-area roadways Wednesday.
Icy precipitation is expected to end late Wednesday, but cooler temperatures and gusty winds are expected to arrive by Thursday afternoon.
Here is a recap of the weather headlines that were made on Wednesday.
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10 p.m.: Icy Precipitation to End, With Cooler Temps and Gusty Winds in Chicago's Forecast
Areas of the Chicago area hard-hit by icy precipitation on Wednesday should get a reprieve during the overnight hours, but more changes are on the way, with cooler temperatures and gusty winds in the forecast.
Some locations saw nearly one-third of an inch of ice accumulation due to Wednesday’s storm, which left more than 100,000 residents without power and caused serious traffic issues across the area, downing trees and power lines on roadways.
While ice will still be an issue in some communities late Wednesday, ultimately remaining precipitation will switch back to rain as temperatures rebound slightly, with wind gusts also easing during the overnight hours.
The reprieve from gusty winds will be short-lived however, with those winds shifting out of the northwest. That will likely cause temperatures to drop in the afternoon hours, dropping readings to below freezing by the evening hours.
Here Are The Latest Ice Accumulation Measurements Around the Chicago Area
With at least one northern-suburban county under an ice storm warning and several others under winter weather advisories, ice accumulations are starting to increase across the Chicago area Wednesday.
Rockford Airport is reporting more than one-third of an inch of ice, which has caused travel delays and power outages across the region. More than 100,000 residents of the Chicago area were impacted by outages, with ComEd working to restore service.
National Weather Service guidelines classify any accumulation of more than one quarter-inch of ice to be “disruptive,” and several areas are close to qualifying for that distinction as of 9 p.m.
Here are the latest ice accumulation totals from across the area.
8 p.m. Update: Nearly 100,000 Without Power, Road Conditions Deteriorating Across Area
Nearly 100,000 ComEd customers are without power as an ice storm continues to wreak havoc on parts of the Chicago area.
According to the 7:45 p.m. update from the utility, nearly 20% of customers in McHenry County are without power, with 22,901 customers affected.
Another 20,171 customers in Cook County are without power, and nearly 17,000 are in the dark in Winnebago County.
In all, 95,923 customers are impacted by more than 2,000 active outages across the area.
Fallen trees and power lines continue to cause massive headaches on area roadways and train lines as well, including the Metra Union-Pacific Northwest Line, which is impacted due to a fallen tree Wednesday evening.
Trees are also blocking roadways in numerous suburbs, including in De Kalb, where Lincoln Highway is blocked in both directions between 9th and 11th streets. Lake of the Hills, North Barrington and Cary are also experiencing road closures because of fallen trees.
Fallen power lines are also impacting roads in Wauconda, with Fairfield Road closed in both directions, and Walnut Lane in suburban Schaumburg.
Travel times are also being impacted heavily by icy conditions at a variety of locations, with less-traveled roads experiencing slick spots that are causing problems for motorists.
Finally, more than 200 flights have been canceled at Chicago’s airports.
ComEd Power Outages Affecting Over 62,000 Customers
As freezing rain and icy conditions continue to affect the Chicago area, more than 62,000 ComEd customers across Northern Illinois are impacted by power outages, with 1,358 active outages as of 6:10 p.m.
Of the affected customers, 14,312 are in Cook County alone. In McHenry County, 12,978 customers have been impacted, with 12,192 impacted customers in Kane County. Additionally, 8,472 Lake County customers have been affected.
Icy Conditions Cause Power Lines to Snap, Trees to Fall Over
As icy precipitation continues to fall across the area, and as dropping temperatures cause water to freeze on untreated surfaces, motorists are being urged to use caution amid a myriad of travel challenges.
In Lakemoor, located in Lake County, Fox Lake Road is currently blocked in both directions between Volo Village Road and U.S. 12 after heavy ice caused power lines to snap in the area.
In Lake in the Hills in McHenry County, Hilltop Drive is blocked because of a fallen tree.
In De Kalb, Lincoln Highway is blocked in both directions because of a fallen tree, and so is Pingree Road in suburban Cary.
Fallen power cables are causing issues in Lake Villa as well, with Route 83 blocked in both directions between Route 132 and Cedar Avenue.
Thousands of ComEd customers are without power because of the icy conditions, with more outages expected to pile up as temperatures drop and icy precipitation continues to fall.
More Than 35,000 Customers Without Power
As icy conditions cause power line failures, more than 35,000 customers are without power as of 5:30 p.m., ComEd says.
The brunt of the outages is being borne by Kane County, where 9,550 customers are without power, and in Cook County, where 9,210 customers are in the dark at this time.
It’s unclear when power service will be restored, and the combination of icy conditions and gusty winds could cause those outages to continue to trend upward.
You can get the latest updates on the outages on ComEd’s website.
Nearly 200 Flights Canceled at O’Hare, Midway
Wintry conditions in the Midwest, including here in Chicago, have caused the cancellation of nearly 200 flights, with flight delays creeping upward as temperatures drop.
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, 152 flights have been canceled at O’Hare as of 5:30 p.m., with another 43 flights canceled at Midway.
Flight delays of nearly 30 minutes are being reported at O’Hare.
You can find up-to-date information on the CDA’s website.
Winter Weather Advisory, Ice Storm Warning in Effect for Parts of Northern Illinois
An ice storm warning remains in effect for several counties in far northern Illinois, with additional ice accumulations expected into the overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service, that warning is in effect for Winnebago, Boone and McHenry counties until 6 a.m. Thursday.
An additional one-to-three tenths of an inch of ice accumulations are possible in that time, especially on elevated and untreated surfaces.
Power outages and tree damage are possible, according to officials.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. for numerous northern Illinois counties.
According to the National Weather Service, an advisory remains in effect for Lake, DeKalb, Kane, and northern Cook counties until 6 a.m.
Freezing rain is expected in the area through that time, with up to one-fifth of an inch of ice accumulation possible on untreated and elevated surfaces. That problem will be exacerbated by wind gusts in excess of 35 miles per hour.
