Chicago weather: Freezing rain to cause slick roads ahead of another winter storm this weekend

Watch for ice! Freezing rain may lead to hazardous travel

Emily Wahls has your Chicago weather update!

CHICAGO - Chicagoland is under a Winter Weather Advisory until early Thursday morning as freezing rain moves into the area.

Roads, bridges, and overpasses are expected to become slick and hazardous, with conditions deteriorating quickly after 6-7 p.m.

What we know:

The freezing precipitation will spread from south to north, reaching as far as the Wisconsin border by 8 p.m.

While most areas are only expected to receive less than a tenth of an inch of ice, that will be enough to create slippery conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

Chicago drivers urged to use caution amid freezing rain

The ice has arrived and could be a bad night for traveling in the Chicago area.

The system will move out overnight, with precipitation ending from west to east after midnight. Temperatures will climb into the lower 40s on Thursday, helping to melt any remaining ice by midday.

Freezing rain impact

Slippery roads, bridges and overpasses are a major concern during this winter storm.

Authorities are advising commuters and motorists to prepare for travel delays and road closures during their commutes through Thursday morning.

Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed salt spreaders to treat city streets early on Wednesday.

The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert. They’ll have a full fleet of nearly 200 plows de-icing roads.

In addition, South Shore train lines issued an advisory saying ice can adversely impact tracks, overhead wires and other mechanical components. As a result, icebreaker trains were being sent out.

Train operations, however, are expected to proceed as scheduled.

ComEd is also adding additional crews, preparing for ice that could potentially interrupt power lines.

Timeline:

• Tonight (Wednesday): Freezing rain moves in this evening, making untreated roads slippery after 6-7 p.m. Precipitation will taper off after midnight.
• Thursday: Morning cloud cover gives way to partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s will melt any remaining ice.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy with highs in the lower 30s.
• Saturday: Another wintry system is possible, with the potential for freezing rain. Highs near the freezing mark.
• Super Bowl Sunday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with highs in the upper 20s to near 30 degrees.

What's next:

Drivers and pedestrians should use caution tonight and early Thursday morning, as icy conditions could make travel dangerous.

Forecasters are also closely watching a winter storm on Saturday that could bring another round of freezing rain to the area.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be fairly quiet with partly to mostly cloudy skies and highs in the 20s to low 30s.