North Shore Braces For Heavy Snow In Weekend Winter Storm Warning

Chicago's North Shore is bracing for more than 6 inches of snow over the long Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend as Winter Storm Harper moves across Lake Michigan. A winter storm warning has been issued, local public works crews are mobilizing to prepare for snow removal and salting, and villages have implemented winter parking bans.

Up to 9 inches of new snow accumulation is possible, as well as major snow drifts, according to the NWS and local public works officials. Snow is due to enter the area after 3 p.m. Friday, as the temperature remains around 29 degrees with steady winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts of up to 35 mph. By 2 a.m., up to 3 inches may already be on the ground.

On Saturday, snow will continue in the morning and the temperature is projected to drop to about 21 as the snowfall diminishes in the afternoon with the expiration of the winter storm warning. Expect northeast wind with gusts of up to 35 mph. Nighttime temperatures will drop into the teens with wind chill as low as zero and an additional 3 to 7 inches of snow accumulation overnight as lake effect snow arrives.

Snowfall is expected to slow down on Sunday, with patches of blowing snow in the morning and a 20 percent chance of snow before midnight and a low of around 10 degrees. There's only a slight chance of snow on Monday, with cloudy skies and a daytime high of 18 degrees forecast for the MLK Day holiday.

"Please, if you are driving, slow down, anticipate much longer travel times, increase your distance between other vehicles and exercise caution when sharing the road with our plows," said Omer Osman, deputy secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. With decreasing temperatures and high winds throughout the weekend, icing and drifting on roads is possible even for plowed and treated surfaces.

Transportation officials recommended staying in your vehicle if involved in a crash or stranded. During last weekend's storm, state police responded to 384 traffic crashes and assisted more than 1,200 motorists. Police advised motorists to keep gas tanks fueled, watch out for black ice, and have an emergency car kit containing items such as a jumper cables, a flashlight, an ice scraper, blankets, gloves, food items, water, and a first-aid kit.

Residents can also assist first responders by clearing away snow from fire hydrants to keep them visible and accessible in case of an emergency. In the Chicago area, motorists can dial *999 for emergency roadside assistance.

Report power outages to ComEd by calling 1-800-334-7661 (EDISON1), texting "Out" to 2663 (COMED) or online or by mobile device.

Find out more about snow parking bans and plowing rules in your municipality:

• Evanston
• Deerfield
• Glencoe
• Glenview
• Highland Park
• Highwood
• Lake Forest
• Lake Bluff
• Morton Grove
• Northbrook
• Niles
• Skokie
• Wilmette
• Winnetka