Science & Nature
After a Wild Wednesday, the Snow Show Is Over. Time To Dig Out
Time to dig out from the Groundhog Day snowstorm, Feb. 2, 2022. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
Chicago is digging out from a wild Wednesday that saw continuous snowfall throughout the day, dumping anywhere from 5.6 inches at O’Hare to 11 inches at Midway.
That looks to be the end of active weather, for now, although blowing snow made for a treacherous morning commute in some areas. A projected second round of precipitation is now expected to slide south of the Chicago region, and a band of lake effect snow isn’t expected to produce significant accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.
Now that the flakes have subsided, Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation has shifted its fleet over from main arteries to clearing residential side streets.
With the latest storm, Better Streets Chicago, a transportation advocacy nonprofit, has renewed its call for the city to plow the sidewalks as well as roadways. The organization's petition for plowed walkways has gathered 4,400 signatures and is beginning to gain aldermanic support.
What a Wednesday!
Here is a preliminary look at observed snowfall totals.
Sorted text listing: https://t.co/u61rlmAn9W
Interactive map: https://t.co/ke6HEqUqhk
Thank you to many of our followers, our trained spotters, and EM and media partners for reports. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/YdDyfsThC4
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 3, 2022
After a snowy Wednesday for many, we'll have a chance to dig out. A few spots will see an inch or two more today while most remain dry. Chilly overnight temperatures are expected through the weekend. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/HHxF7Jgukd
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 3, 2022
DSS has transitioned over 300 snow vehicles to begin clearing snow from residential streets. Salt spreaders have been working since Tuesday eve to ensure main roads safe & passable for public transportation & emergency vehicles. View fleet in real time at https://t.co/GKweSyKNsq.
— Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (@StreetsandSan) February 3, 2022
Tonight BSC organizers @ProvocCities and @itskylelucas cleared sidewalks and bus stops in Uptown. It took 90 tiring min to clear just 3 bus stops and two sets of crosswalks. This is a perfect example of why the current system can’t work. We need the city to #PlowTheSidewalks.
— Better Streets Chicago (@chi_streets) February 3, 2022
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
