Snow, Freezing Rain Make Driving Dangerous

UPDATED: Dec. 21, 7:26 p.m.

A dense fog advisory was in effect Tuesday evening until midnight, according to the National Weather Service. The snow and warmer temperatures mixed causing the fog. Later this evening visibilities are expected to quickly improve as a cold moves through with colder, drier air.

UPDATED: Dec. 21, 8 a.m.

Freezing drizzle or rain was expected to continue this morning with ice possible in areas, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures should get above freezing this afternoon ending the threat of freezing rain. Dense fog is possible throughout the day. Another storm system is forecasted to move into the area late Thursday through Saturday.

The roads were becoming a bit precarious for drivers on Wednesday afternoon as snow flurries started falling around 3 p.m. and quickly began to accumulate. According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Snow could accumulate to between to 2 to 4 inches, changing to a freezing rain or a mix of snow and freezing drizzle after midnight, according to the weather service. The freezing rain on top of the snow could make driving hazardous, particularly on untreated roads. Freezing drizzle may continue Tuesday morning.

In Naperville, 22 drivers were salting the arterial and collector streets, with residential streets to follow, according to the city's website.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation's website, some roads in western Illinois were covered with snow or ice, including areas along I-80 and I-88, and between Freeport and Rockford.

In DuPage County, snow crews are on call 24 hours a day beginning Nov. 1, according to the DuPage County Website. The County has 40 plow trucks, each equipped with a salt spreader.

The DuPage County Division of Transportation offers some tips for residents:

• Drivers should adjust their driving habits to better handle hazardous driving conditions.
• Be sure to give plow trucks the right of way—staying far enough back and never passing a plow truck on the right. Plow trucks have blind spots and must move in and out of turning lanes while clearing snow.
• Residents should not shovel snow onto the highway, and when a plow truck is approaching, residents should move away from the edge of the roadway. Aside from slush and snow, road debris can be thrown by the plow.

The City of Naperville also is encouraging residents to have at the ready. Those traveling long distances should be sure to keep on hand a standard window scraper, along with shovels, blankets, cell phone and charger, a bag of sand or cat litter, flares and brightly colored clothing.