Weather on the 1s
The National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for northeast Illinois that warns of an ice storm that is expected to last until 9 p.m. this evening.
According to the agency, the region will be hit with freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet, that will turn to rain as the temperatures rise above freezing in later afternoon or early evening. The agency warns of ice accumulation, up to a tenth-of-an-inch or two, making travel hazardous and possibly leading to downed tree limbs and power lines.
Because the ground is below freezing, the precipitation will freeze on contact, the agency said, leaving sidewalks as well as streets with that potentially dangerous coating of ice.
The state’s transportation agency has 360 trucks in the northeastern part of Illinois ready to salt roads as soon as precipitation hits the area, said Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
IDOT will be monitoring weather conditions, but roads will likely be slick this afternoon when the ice storm arrives, Claffey said. He also cautioned drivers to stay off the roads.
"It’s going to be very slippery, tricky driving conditions," Claffey said. "If you don't have to be out, you should not be."
Jennifer Delgado contributed.
chicagobreaking@tribune.com
Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking
Freezing rain bringing 'very slippery, tricky driving conditions'
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Freezing rain bringing 'very slippery, tricky driving conditions'
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Freezing rain bringing 'very slippery, tricky driving conditions'
