Weather Creates Travel Problems

AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Earlier this morning, we mentioned that the weather outside was "bowling shoe ugly." So far, it's more than living up to that description.

Police authorities throughout the area, including IDOT, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority and suburban police departments have reported spin-outs, slide-off accidents and crashes on area highways. Last night's snowfall deposited 3-4 inches of snow throughout the area, with reports of five inches of snow or more in suburban Huntley and Elburn. The mist and freezing rain in the area is also doing wonders for visibility

Meanwhile, 75 flights were canceled as of 7:30 a.m. at O'Hare, with some airlines experiencing delays of 45 minutes or longer. The Illinois Tollway mobilized all of its snowplows to keep the highways as clear as possible, and they also canceled last night's temporary ram closures to assist in the snow removal efforts.

All this can serve as a dress rehearsal for the bigger storm front coming to the area at the end of the week.