Chicago Weather Alert: Winter Weather Advisory through Sunday

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) -- After 2 inches of snowfall, the City of Evanston is asking residents to voluntarily avoid parking on posted snow routes. Parking restrictions are not in effect, but avoiding parking on the main road will allow crews to keep main thoroughfares clear. 

Snow was expected to redevelop in the evening and continue into the early morning hours. 

Officials also reminded Evanston residents that property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing sidewalks 24 hours after any accumulation of snow or ice. Paths must be at least 36 inches wide. 

The Snow Shoveling Assistance Program can match senior and disabled residents with volunteers willing to provide snow shoveling services. 

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A winter storm will bring snow along with a mix of precipitation through Saturday night. Snow may be heavy at times, especially north of Chicago. 

A winter storm warning is in place for Lake (IL) and McHenry counties until 3 a.m. Sunday. 

A winter weather advisory is in place until 6 a.m. for La Salle, Grundy, Kendall, Will, Kankakee, Lake (IN) and Porter counties for a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet.

TOTALS:

There will be a wide variety of amounts from north (highest) to south (lowest/mixed).

Expect 4 inches to 7 inches north of the city, from the northern suburbs to the Winsconsin line.

Expect 2 inches to 4 inches for much of the city to the northern and western suburbs.

Expect 1 inch to 3 inches of snow for most of the southern and southwestern suburbs.

Expect up to an inch of snow mixed with some icing south of the city, to Kankakee County into NW Indiana.

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Snow ends with the exception of some lake effect snow in Lake (IL) and Cook (lake shore). Low 28.

SUNDAY:

Colder with some lake effect snow. Less than an inch of additional lake effect accumulation. High 25.

EXTENDED:

The big headline next week will be the brutal cold. Highs only in the teens to low 20s and overnight lows either below zero or in the single digits. The coldest temperatures will occur on Tuesday morning with below zero readings and wind chills between -10 to -20 degrees.

The National Weather Service has extended a Winter Weather Advisory for eight counties in Illinois and Indiana until 6:00 a.m. CST Sunday.

Areas in Illinois include LaSalle, Cook, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall, and Will Counties. Lake and Porter Counties in Indiana are also extended.  

CBS 2 Meteorologist Robb Ellis is tracking the snowfall throughout the day. 

Stay tuned for more updates. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Warning for McHenry and Lake Counties until 3 a.m. Sunday. 

Boone, Winnebago, Rock, Walworth, Kenosha, and Racine counties are also under a storm warning.

A Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect for the Chicagoland area until 3 a.m. Sunday. Accumulations between 1 to 2 inches are expected to the south whereas 4 to 7 inches or more to the north

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed over 200 salt spreaders Saturday as snow showers are expected throughout the day.

They will focus on addressing snow and ice along Chicago's arterial routes and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to ensure they are safe and passable for travelers.

CBS 2's Ed Curran says a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday. 

The department says they will monitor the weather and ground conditions and will adjust resources when needed.

Residents are advised to take caution while traveling - allowing for extra time and to drive according to conditions leaving ample space between cars.

To view the City's fleet in real time, visit www.chicagoshovels.org.

In response to the upcoming snowfall Saturday, the Illinois Tollway is deploying a fleet of 196 snowplows.

They are anticipating various conditions across the 12-county Illinois Tollway system which could affect travelers in some areas during the weekend.

"We'll be working to keep our customers safe during this storm. Our fleet of plows will operate continuously until our roads are clear of snow and ice and our roadway team will rapidly responding to any drivers who need assistance on our system," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "Safety is always our highest priority, so we urge our customers to help us protect them by slowing down during winter storms and increasing their distance from other vehicles, particularly plows and emergency responders."

Drivers whose vehicles become disabled are advised to turn on their hazard lights and dial 999 for assistance. They are further advised to note the roadway they are using as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.

Drivers can receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents by signing up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com or from Tollway's website.

Additional winter weather travel tips The Tollway is offering include:

• Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. Winter Storm Response – page 2

• Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable.

• Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries.

• Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.

• Cell phone users should call 999 motorist assistance for roadway

Snow enters the area this morning. Falls at a moderate rate, even a heavy rate at times today and tonight. 

Winter Weather Advisory in effect 9 a.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday. 

Sunday is mostly cloudy. The week ahead is very cold!

FORECAST

Winter Weather Advisory until 3am Sunday.

Today- Snow. Total accumulations from 2 inches, South. 4 or more inches to the North. High 28.

Tonight-Snow continues. Low of 22.

Sunday- Mostly cloudy. 25.