Wednesday morning commuters were expected to encounter slushy, slippery roads as a winter weather advisory bringing some rain and some snow accumulations continued in the Chicago area.
As of early Wednesday morning, snow had already begun to fall in most parts, including in McHenry, Kendall, Kane, Lake, DuPage, DeKalb and Cook Counties, with more moderate snow falling in Elgin, DeKalb and Geneva.
A message posted to Facebook from the City of Elgin warned drivers in the area of potentially slick road conditions.
"Although air and pavement temperatures will be above freezing, there is a possibility for slick surfaces," the post said in part.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory for McHenry and DeKalb counties was in effect through 12 p.m.
"Slushy accumulations of 1 to 3 inches expected," the advisory said. "Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Plan on areas of slick travel on untreated and elevated roadways along with periods of reduced visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute."
Local
The NWS added that reduced visibility and gusty winds were expected.
"Prepare for extra travel time for the AM commute," the tweet said.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
NBC 5 Traffic Reporter Kye Martin reported slick and slippery conditions across Chicago roadways, especially in parts to the north and west. In Central DuPage County, icy conditions were beginning to form, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.
With flakes continuing to fall, some minor crashes were reported.
Check Illinois Road Conditions
Use the following links to check road conditions ahead of your commute:
Chicago Forecast Wednesday
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, snow in counties to the north and west was expected to continue falling on and off throughout the day, with accumulations more likely in the afternoon hours. By 11 a.m., the snow could become more widespread, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, though temperatures in Cook and Will counties could keep precipitation in the form of a rain-snow mix.
"It may just stay as rain in the city," Roman said, as drizzle fell in Cook County early Wednesday morning. "It could be a rain-snow mix depending on where you are."
LIVE RADAR: Track snow, rain as winter weather advisory continues
By 6 a.m. Wednesday, the rain in parts of Cook County had begun to mix with snow.
Rain and snow was expected to continue areawide through 8 p.m. with some showers and flakes lingering overnight.
Light snow was expected to continue falling early Thursday, with snow changing to rain by Thursday afternoon.
Temperatures highs Wednesday were expected to be in the mid 30s, Roman said, leading some of the falling snow to turn straight into slush.
"A lot of this is melting because the road temperature is still above freezing," Roman said, of the flakes falling closer to the city. Further west, those temperatures remained cooler. Overall, Wednesday was expected to feel more like winter than spring.
"Just a gusty, raw, chilly day Wednesday," Roman said.
How much snow could fall?
In McHenry, DeKalb, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and Lee Counties, where a winter weather advisory remained in effect, between one and three inches of snow could fall, the NWS said. Northern parts of Lake County see some small accumulations as well, Roman said.
