After 335 days, Chicago has finally broken its record-setting streak of snowless days, the National Weather Service said.
The Friday morning snowfall reached 1.1 inches at O'Hare International Airport by 9:30 a.m., according to the weather service. It is the first day of the 2012-2013 winter where Chicago got more than one-inch of accumulation -- ending record streaks for the latest first one-inch snowfall and the longest streak without an inch of snow, the weather service said.
The previous record for snow-free days was 280, set in 1994. The city surpassed that record on Dec. 10, the weather service said. The previous record for the latest one-inch snowfall in Chicago was Jan. 17, 1899.
According to the weather service, some flurries were expected to fall late in the afternoon, but no additional accumulation was forecast.
The city's "Snow Command" deployed 199 snowplows to Lake Shore Drive and the city's other main streets Friday morning, according to a statement from the city's Department of Streets and Sanitation. The plows will begin working on residential streets after the main streets have been cleared and covered with salt.
While authorities encouraged drivers to be cautious during their morning rush-hour commute, Illinois State Police said there were numerous cars involved in about 10 crashes Friday morning in the Chicago region.
One of the largest crashes involved nine cars that collided on the Kennedy Expressway near the North Avenue exit, state police said. One person suffered minor injuries.
With the 1.1 inches that fell on Friday morning, the season's total snowfall for Chicago through 9:30 a.m. now stands at 2.8 inches.
Traffic was moving well by noon-time on Friday, but the first significant snowfall in Chicago threw drivers for a loop during the morning commute. Frustration abounds when the roads get slick and the delays build.More>>
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:49:58 GMT
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:00 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:00:03 GMT
A truck driver was seriously injured when the semi-truck he was driving overturned on the exit ramp from the outbound Eisenhower Expressway to Route 83 North.
A truck driver was seriously injured when the semi-truck he was driving overturned on the exit ramp from the outbound Eisenhower Expressway to Route 83 North.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:51:57 GMT
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:12 AM EDT2013-05-15 13:12:16 GMT
A 38-year-old woman accused of dragging a Chicago Police officer from a vehicle while speeding away from a traffic stop Monday night has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, police said.
A 38-year-old woman accused of dragging a Chicago Police officer from a vehicle while speeding away from a traffic stop Monday night has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, police said.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:46:01 GMT
An 11-month-old girl was in "stable" condition at an area hospital Tuesday morning after she was ejected from an SUV during an auto accident in the River North neighborhood.
An 11-month-old girl was in "stable" condition at an area hospital Tuesday morning after she was ejected from an SUV during an auto accident in the River North neighborhood.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:37:06 GMT
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:51:51 GMT
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
