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, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:23 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:23:45 GMT
Train service on the South Shore Line is suspended after a problem occurred with the equipment that transfers the energy from the overhead line to the trains.
Train service on the South Shore Line is suspended after a problem occurred with the equipment that transfers the energy from the overhead line to the trains.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:28 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:28:37 GMT
A fatal early morning crash involving three vehicles and a motorcycle shut down the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80/94 during the Monday morning rush hour, according to Indiana State Police.
A fatal early morning crash involving three vehicles and a motorcycle shut down the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80/94 during the Monday morning rush hour, according to Indiana State Police.
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:11:05 GMT
By all accounts 21-year-old Carissa Hinz was a young woman full of life. Many friends and co-workers were present when she was struck by a car and the driver kept going.
By all accounts 21-year-old Carissa Hinz was a young woman full of life. Many friends and co-workers were present when she was struck by a car and the driver kept going.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:45 AM EDT2013-06-15 14:45:00 GMT
Multiple ambulances were called, in addition to other fire department equipment, to O'Hare International Airport Saturday morning after an incoming plane reported mechanical problems.
Multiple ambulances were called, in addition to other fire department equipment, to O'Hare International Airport Saturday morning after an incoming plane reported mechanical problems.
Friday, June 14 2013 1:47 PM EDT2013-06-14 17:47:11 GMT
Mayor Emanuel's office has some good weekend news, but there's a catch. Free Sunday parking begins this weekend in some neighborhoods, while paying hours are extended in others.
Mayor Emanuel's office has some good weekend news, but there's a catch. Free Sunday parking begins this weekend in some neighborhoods, while paying hours are extended in others.
Friday, June 14 2013 1:07 PM EDT2013-06-14 17:07:39 GMT
Chicago Bike Week ends with a bang on Friday, with the Bike to Work Rally in Daley Plaza. New barrier-protected bike lanes also opened along Milwaukee Avenue, the city's most heavily biked corridor.
Chicago Bike Week ends with a bang on Friday, with the Bike to Work Rally in Daley Plaza. New barrier-protected bike lanes also opened along Milwaukee Avenue, the city's most heavily biked corridor.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:18:11 GMT
Service on Metra's Southwest Service between downtown and southwest suburban Manhattan has been disrupted Thursday afternoon by the derailment of a freight train locomotive on the South Side.
Service on Metra's Southwest Service between downtown and southwest suburban Manhattan has been disrupted Thursday afternoon by the derailment of a freight train locomotive on the South Side.
Thursday, June 13 2013 12:59 PM EDT2013-06-13 16:59:17 GMT
CTA Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Line trains are back in service but riders should expect major delays in the Loop because of earlier switching problems.
CTA Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Line trains are back in service but riders should expect major delays in the Loop because of earlier switching problems.
