Roads, possible power outages a concern as freezing rain, ice come to Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) — A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday.
Widespread freezing rain and drizzle are causing untreated roads, sidewalks, and driveways to become icy and slick.
Ice accumulation of up to 0.1 inch is possible. Lows Wednesday night will be in the low 30s.
While precipitation will end before sunrise Thursday, residual slippery spots are likely through the morning. Temperatures will be warming above freezing Thursday morning, with conditions greatly improving by late morning.
Some clearing skies are expected by late Thursday, with gusty winds and highs in the low 40s. Friday will be colder, but dry, with highs around freezing.
A new winter storm is expected late Friday night through Saturday. Impacts from ice are possible, especially for areas to the south, while snow accumulation is likely for areas north of I-80.
IDOT, ComEd prepare for slick roads, power outages
With the possibility of ice coating Chicago roads and interstates, there is a lot of uncertainty for drivers. In Kansas City on Wednesday, freezing rain made travel difficult—with highways shut down for hours.
Interstate 670 in Kansas City was called a sheet of ice, and multiple vehicles — including several semi-tractor trailers — spun out.
This system is the same one that was making its way through Illinois overnight.
"This event will continue into the early commute, so definitely give yourself some more time in the morning," said Maria Castaneda of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Castaneda said roads across the Chicago area could be dangerous—even though less than 0.1 inch of ice is expected.
"It will definitely have some impacts, depending on particular areas of roadways," she said.
Castaneda said bridges, overpasses, and ramps in particular will be slick.
Already, IDOT and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority have had trucks treating the roads with salt and chloride.
But as temperatures continue to drop, IDOT said a freeze-back is possible.
"What that means is that that wet pavement — even if it's been treated earlier — once that temperature, you know, hits it again, it can freeze back," Castaneda said.
IDOT also wants to remind drivers to give its plows some distance when out on the roads.
Problems were already developing on Northern Illinois roads late Wednesday night. On I-57 in Kankakee County, freezing drizzle was falling as plows treated the roads — and cars were covered in ice.
Even farther south, there were reports of thundersleet — which is just what it sounds like.
Near Crown Point, Indiana, a jackknifed semi-trailer truck closed I-65 for a period of time.
Meanwhile, it is not just salt trucks working to keep everyone safe in the icy weather. Electric companies are upping their staffing overnight in case of outages.
ComEd said it does not anticipate any power outages early on Wednesday night, but some could pop up overnight or in the morning.
The utility also said wind could be a factor, so if a power line is down, no one should go near it. Instead, anyone who sees a downed power line should call ComEd, and crews will be on site as soon as they can.
If ice accumulation is high, ComEd said it is bad news for power infrastructure.
"We're going to see branches fall on trees," said ComEd distribution systems vice president Vito Martino. "We're going to see ice on the conductors and the overhead wires, which is going to cause the wires to fall."
ComEd said 35% of its staff is working the night shift, and their trucks are ready if called.
