Chicago Weather Hour by Hour

Chicago - As a light snow began to blanket the city Monday afternoon, the Dept. of Streets & Sanitation deployed 174 snow-fighting trucks to Chicago's streets.

At 3:15 p.m., Snow Command notified 174 snow trucks to report to their pre-assigned routes on major streets and Lake Shore Drive, a release from Streets & San said.

The city has been getting some lake effect snow and Snow Command wanted the trucks out to patrol and treat the routes and to be able to assist rush hour traffic, the release said. Snow Command will also monitor side street conditions and is prepared to go to the side streets and treat them once snow subsides and main streets are in good shape.

According to the National Weather Service, a localized area of heavy snow showers has developed over portions of southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. Most areas will receive a half-inch or less of snow Monday evening, but heavier, more extensive snow showers may produce isolated swaths of 1 to 2 inches, mainly over Lake and northern Cook counties, according to the weather service.

Of greater concern, the weather service said, will be sudden reductions in visibility to a half-mile or less during Monday’s evening rush.